Cynthia Louise Derning

1951 - 2017

Cynthia Louise (Barr) Derning, age 65, died on Saturday, April 29, 2017, at her home in Kenai, Alaska.
A Memorial Mass in Cindy's name will be held at noon on Friday, May 5, 2017, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Soldotna, Alaska. Father Roger Bergkamp will celebrate the Mass. A reception will follow at the church.
Cindy was born on May 1, 1951, in Denver, Colo. She grew up in Denver and graduated from Lakewood High School in 1969. Shortly after graduating, she married and started a family; moving to Maine, then San Diego, Calif. She moved with her three daughters to Kenai in February 1981.
She started her career at Peninsula Savings and Loan in Kenai. While she worked and raised her three girls, she put herself through college, graduating Magna Cum Laude from the University of Alaska Anchorage in 1989, with a BSW in social work.
Cindy was committed to helping those in need. Becoming a social worker gave her an opportunity to try and make life better for those in the community.
Following graduation, Cindy, along with her business partner, ran the school district's Young Parents Program. She was a driving force, making sure teen parents knew they could be successful parents and still stay on track and graduate high school. The positive impact Cindy had on many lives will always be remembered.
Cindy also worked for Frontier Community Services and the State of Alaska's Child Protective Services. A tireless advocate, she worked hard keeping children on the Kenai Peninsula safe.
She retired in November 2015, and spent her time volunteering. She sat on the boards for Kenai Care Center and Habitat for Humanity.
Cindy's greatest joy was her family. Her three daughters, a source of pride. She was the primary caregiver to her daughter, Kendra, and was devoted to her to the end.
The greatest thing about Cindy was her ability to work hard in hard situations. She always did it with admirable grace, intelligence and kindness.
She is survived by her daughters, Kendra Derning of Kenai, Katie Derning Hudson and husband, Tom, of Spokane, Wash., and Kerri Derning Radford of Poulsbo, Wash.; grandchildren, Jessica and Sarah Radford of Poulsbo, Wash., and Kendall and Davis Hudson of Spokane, Wash.; brother, Bruce Barr of Soldotna; and her longtime love, Jack Hamill of Soldotna, his children and grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be made to the Special Olympics of the Central Peninsula, P.O. Box 248, Soldotna, AK 99669; or to Hope Community Resources-Intentional Housing Project, 47202 Princeton, Soldotna, AK 99669.