Cynthia Binns

Marion - Cynthia Binns was born June 23, 1956 in Buffalo, NY, the youngest daughter of John and Arlene (Krischan) Binns. Her family moved to Marion, Ohio in 1962 and she attended River Valley schools, graduating in 1974. She passed away peacefully on October 31, 2024 after a courageous battle with metastatic breast cancer.

Cindy was an artist and educator who devoted her life to helping children grow and thrive. Her proudest role was as a loving and supportive mother to four children. She was a born caregiver, always nurturing her kids (and their pets), and her children inherited her sense of humor, love of learning, and tenacious spirit. She enjoyed painting, photography, playing games with her family, and annual vacations to her family cottage in Canada.

After raising her children, Cindy attended college and graduated from The Ohio State University at Marion with a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education in 2008. Her love of children and deep belief that every child should thrive led her to work at Boys and Girls Club of Marion County, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and eventually teach pre-school at Tri-Rivers Career Center, touching the lives of many children and families.

Cindy's "third act" was founding and operating the Explore-It-Torium Children's Museum in Marion in 2019. She won The Forge Business Competition, allowing her to take the idea from conception to reality by building a strong network of donors, volunteers, and supporters. Cindy was an active member of the downtown Marion business community, Marion Noon Kiwanis, and the Philanthropic Educational Organization (P.E.O.), which supports women's educational opportunities.

Cindy is survived by her mother, Arlene Binns; four children, Kim, Alan (Marisa), Lauren, and Tyler (Jessica) Creasap; two sisters, Pat (Greg) Case and Kathy (Allen) Ladd; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her father, John William Binns, in 2004.

Cindy's family will host a celebration of life at the Explore-It-Torium Children's Museum of Marion on November 23, 2024 from 12-2pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Explore-It-Torium to continue Cindy's legacy of helping Marion's children thrive.