Cynthia E. Haelsen

In loving memory of Cynthia Haelsen, 87, who went to be with the Lord Jesus on April 1, 2026. Her passing leaves a void that cannot be filled, and she would want us to turn to the Lord for comfort, strength, and peace. We remember a life filled with strong faith, immense love, and a constant sense of caring and of service.
Cynthia is survived by her son Glenn Haelsen and his wife Jill, their daughters Chelsea and Tessa along with her husband Jesse Walker.
Cynthia leaves behind her loving and devoted sister Carol Varney and her daughters Tara and her husband Bruce Filingeri, their children Cody, Caitlin, and Annie. Her niece Roshane and her children Jaime and Sean.
Her late sister Sophie Gryzb's children: Philip, his daughters Kasey, and Jessica, Steven, Walt, his wife Martha and their girls Emily and Elizabeth, and Lara along with her husband Gary and their sons Joshua and Warren.
Her late sister Dawn Osterman and her children, Chester Osterman III, his children, Joseph, Joseph's wife Angelene and their son Anthony, Hunter, Chester IV and Dominic, Heather Westbury and her surviving children, Hannah and her husband Tyler, Sophie, Catherine, Tripp, and Addison, Cynthia's niece Jodi lived with her for a few years and during this time, Aunt Cyn and Uncle Bill welcomed Benjamin Osterman into their home and lovingly referred to him as their grandson. Ben and his wife Isabeau, and his siblings Chance McIntyre and Harmoni Lisewski and her nephew Nathan Osterman, the youngest of Dawn's children.
She leaves behind many family members and dear friends who will deeply miss her.
Cynthia was born to Francis "Duke" and Sophie (Scholl) Steele on June 28, 1938, in Upton, MA. She grew up living on the multi-generational family farm which also served as a summer youth camp for children. This is where Cyn's roots of faith, service, family were rooted in love and spread throughout her lifetime.
She met William "Bill" Haelsen Sr, a match truly made in heaven. They married and later moved to Paine Road in Foster, RI. Their home was rich with love and open to anyone who needed a place. They opened their home to four Vietnamese children for more than a year giving a loving home and the structure needed to move on their own.
A walk down the street brought them to the church in which they served and raised their family. Bill and Cyn were members of the North Foster Baptist Church and served in various ministries. Together they had three sons, Thomas, Glenn, and "Billy" William Jr. Cynthia was a loyal servant to God, first and foremost and cherished her husband Bill and a proud mom.
Cynthia loved the church and sharing the love and warmth of our savior Jesus Christ with as many people as possible. Her mornings started with reading her Bible which she said set her day with peace and devotion. Her resolve developed a tempered, unwavering, and tenacious spirit that remained unshaken by adversity. Cyn's faith, love and strength is her testimony of her steadfast commitment and mental toughness to turn trials into growth, maturity, and purpose. She lived her life with purpose of serving the Lord as he commanded in John 13:34-35, "A new command I give you: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another."
Cynthia's acts of kindness and love were far reaching from her family to her fellow church members, friends and strangers. Whenever someone needed help, Cyn would be there. Her presence did not only bring love and acts of service, but they also included many of her life enjoyments: gardening, baking, cooking, sewing, and praying. She would help with rides to appointments, help tidy the house, bring flowers, bake treats, or meal that would last a couple of days. Cynthia was the faithful servant who showed up for everyone, especially her family in their times of need. Her late aunts Katherine Brown, Emily John, and late sister Dawn Osterman looked forward to her visits, her tasty treats and delicious meals and her calm nature. She was a pillar of strength for them.
Cynthia was involved with community organizations and activities, especially the South Foster Fire Dept Ladies Auxiliary being a black phone and red phone dispatcher for the South Foster Fire Dept and Foster Ambulance Corps. Cynthia was also involved with various church ministries along with her career as a caretaker for Grandpa Duke and working as an aide for many years.
Cynthia joins her husband of William "Bill" Haelsen, Sr., her sons baby Thomas and "Billy" William, Jr, her parents Duke and Sophie, Aunt Emily John, Aunt Katherine Brown, her sisters Sophie Gryzb and Dawn Osterman, her late great-nephew Jacob Westbury along with many cousins, brothers-in-law, aunts, uncles, cousins, and dear friends.
A calling hour will be held in the North Foster Baptist Church in Foster, RI, on Saturday April 18, 2026, from 10:00-11:00 AM with a funeral service beginning at 11:00 AM. Burial will follow in Hopkins Mills Cemetery in Foster, RI. In lieu of flowers donations in Cynthia's memory may be made to the following organizations: please consider a donation to The Barton Center for Diabetes Education in support of Camp Joslin. Checks can be made payable to "The Barton Center" and mailed to PO Box 356, North Oxford, MA 01537. Donations can also be made online, at https://apps.bartoncenter.org/donate-now. Please add Cynthia Haelsen's name to the "dedicate my donation" section. OR Suicide Prevention - The Matt Alsfeld Memorial Fund MattAlsfeld.org PO Box 234 East Killingly CT 06243 please make donations in Memory of Cynthia Haelsen. tillinghastfh.com