Cynthia Ann "Cindy" Stucky

Hands down the best picture editor I've ever worked with. I wish I could have met her in person instead of just talking on the phone -- especially since driving to Louisville would have probably taken less time than some of our phone calls. lol

Rest easy, Stuck. You're still missed more than you could ever imagine.

-30-

Cindy was - and always will be - my friend. There isn't enough room on the Internet to recount the many encouraging conversations, lunches and hang-outs we shared. Godspeed.

I was lucky to be Stuck's "Vista" yearbook teacher at NAHS during her 10th through 12th grades. The first time I met her was when she walked into my classroom as a 9th grader who wanted to make sure she could be on the yearbook staff. Since I got to chose who was in my class, I knew that it was my lucky day when she walked in. Can you imagine -- having a great 15 year-old photographer with her own Nikons and home darkroom -- are you kidding! This was the early 1970s so she was really ahead of her time.

I also remember the evening that I took my yearbook students to the Louisville Courier-Journal for a field trip to see what a newspaper operation looked like and Stuck landed a job there immediately even while still in high school. The photo department realized the same as I had -- when she walked in the door, she owned the place!

Funny thing -- I was looking for something this past Friday or Saturday and found old newspaper clippings about awards that our yearbook won. Of course,one of the clips had a photo of Stuck along with Debbie Sinex and me with Principal Delbert Brown, showing us with a state award we had won with Vista. I starting thinking about Stuck all weekend, picturing her being busy at the Derby.

So many other nice memories. I will miss Stuck.

We were close friends with Cindy through junior and senior high school. She took the most beautiful photos of our April 1980 wedding. The next day she had the photo of us picking daffodils for our wedding flowers published on the front page of the Courier-Journal. We lost touch with Cindy in recent years. We are both so very sorry to hear of her death. She was a gifted artist and had a warm heart.

Cindy found out sometime before Derby last year that I am a hobby photographer. Though I had worked at the paper for less than a year, she told me I HAD to visit Churchill Downs during one of the morning training sessions preceding the race. It'll be the greatest photographic experience ever, she told me. She got me a press pass and arranged for me to ride to the Downs with staff shooter Bill Luster. Then she pumped me up with her enthusiasm every day until the day I went. She was more than kind. She sensed that we share a passion and wanted to give me something very special. I feel privileged to have known her.

Dear Cindy, I will always remember and love you, my sister. I will remember those late nights at the Courier-Journal developing pictures of the Bulldogs basketball team on their way to the State Championship game during our senior year. I will remember all of the sleep-overs at your house and mine. I will remember your Carman Ghia, the Porsche and the van that we used to "cruise" in. I will remember those great country dinners with your parents and the first time I tasted fresh asparagus straight out of your parents' garden and let's not forget those mashed potatoes full of fresh butter! Most of all, I will remember you and everytime I hear Eric Clapton's "Layla" I will smile and think of you. You were and always will be my friend. I have missed you over the years, I have searched for you and little did I know you were still with the Courier. I will continue to miss you. Love, Lisa

From Ernest Coleman of the Cincinnati Enquirer in Cincinnati,Ohio- City was just one big helping hand each and every time that i would be working in Louisville for the Enquirer and if i was working on our photo desk and need a photo she would alway find a way to get it for me . I now i will miss her . She was alway a very very good person to me and to all that worked for her . Rest in pice .Ernest Coleman staff photo