Cindy McGuiness

Cindy Collbran McGuiness, 82, of Mount Vernon, WA, passed away peacefully on October 21, 2025 with her son at her side. She was born on September 28, 1943 in San Francisco, CA. Growing up in nearby Belvedere, Marin County, until attending Colorado Women's College in Denver. The college later merged with the University of Denver.

Cindy joined the American Red Cross in 1964 and was stationed in Glasgow, MT, but later was assigned to Camp Enari in highlands of Vietnam. The tour was intended to last one year but she was in a helicopter crash and survived with three others of the nine on board. Back in the states, she continued to volunteer for the Red Cross and was assigned to Whidbey Island Naval Air Station in Oak Harbor, WA. There she met and married Naval Aviator Brian McGuiness in 1968. Sean, their only child, was born in San Luis Obispo, CA, while Brian was finishing his degree at Cal Poly University. Twenty years later they divorced while living in Clear Lake.

Cindy worked for many years at the Mount Vernon YMCA and taught aerobics there, at Burlington High School, Burlington Golf & Country Club and the Northern State facility in nearby Sedro-Woolley.

During the winter of 2008-2009 she volunteered with Yellowstone Institute in the Mammoth Hot Springs Lodge serving as an ambassador for programs offered by the Institute, also promoting activities for the concessionaire. She returned to Yellowstone National Park many years to camp, backpack, cross-country ski, and to hike. The Institute offered many classes that she participated in, from bird watching to long hikes into remote areas of the park that were not accessible to the public.

Years later, she traveled twice to the Queen Charlotte Islands in Canada on primitive wilderness kayaking trips that involved miles of open water, and camping on remote isolated beaches.

In 2023 she had the Whipple procedure that removed her pancreas, gallbladder and part of her stomach. Now being a Type 1 diabetic was a real struggle. Adding to that condition, in 2025 she was diagnosed with a tumor blocking the air passage to one of her lungs, requiring supplemental oxygen for her remaining months. Up and until then, she continued to walk two miles daily at the Skagit Valley Hospital making some wonderful long term Christian friends and others who were there regularly.

Cindy was a devoted to her loving son, Sean, to backpacking, hiking, biking, cross-country skiing and kayaking; just trying to be a caring neighbor and friend to all those she held dear.

She is survived by her son, Sean McGuiness; former husband, Brian McGuiness; her life-long best friend, Jim Roberts; many wonderful and generous caring friends.

She especially was so appreciative of the dedicated and professional crew stationed at nearby Mount Vernon Fire Department stations who responded to the 911 calls made during her numerous medical challenges. She also expressed her gratitude to the Hospice of the Northwest for their kind, compassionate and personalized care during her final days.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00, on Saturday, November 22, 2025 at the Faith Community Fellowship, (1427 Monte Vista Dr, Mount Vernon, WA) with pastor Matt Borst officiating.

If you wish to donate in Cindy's name, please consider the Robert M. Gates Skagit Vets Connect – Veteran Center, 330 Pacific Place, Mount Vernon WA 98273. Share your memories of Cindy and sign the online guest register.