Cindy Vaitonis

Cindy Vaitonis, a devoted wife, loving mother, cherished grandmother, and tireless volunteer, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 9, 2025, after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. She was 75 at the time of her passing.
Born on February 3, 1950, in Elkhart, IN, Cindy was a longtime resident of Round Lake Beach. Cindy's life was a testament to love, service, and a deep commitment to family. A proud mother of three girls and grandmother to eight grandchildren, Cindy's heart was always open. She was a well-loved Girl Scout leader, sharing her time, knowledge, and passion for crafting with a generation of young girls. In later years, many were lucky to receive her knotted fleece blankets with prints that matched their passions – each a gift made with love and cherished by those who received them.
Cindy's legacy also includes a deep commitment to volunteerism and causes close to her heart. She spent countless hours volunteering with organizations like Feed My Starving Children, where she packed thousands of meals for children in need, and worked at the food pantry at her church, offering sustenance and compassion to those less fortunate. All who had the privilege of working alongside her felt her impact on the community.
Cindy was also a staunch advocate for causes that provided for those with less than her. Her advocacy inspired her children, grandchildren, and those around her to carry on her legacy of social justice. She believed in fairness, equality, and the power of compassion, and her advocacy for these values continues to guide her family's commitment to making a difference in the world.
Her relationship with her beloved husband, Steve, was a story of deep and abiding love. They were married in 1971, the year that Walt Disney World in Orlando opened, and celebrated their honeymoon in the newly opened park. Their shared love for the magic of Disney was a hallmark of their life together. To celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary, Cindy and Steve returned to the park where their love for each other, and for the wonder of Disney, had begun.
In her professional life, Cindy enjoyed a lengthy and fulfilling career in business, including time at Household Finance, HSBC, and ultimately retiring after more than a decade as a real estate agent at Century 21. She was a trusted agent, helping many families find their dream homes. Cindy's work was always driven by her genuine desire to make a positive impact on others' lives, including her coworkers and her clients.
In the later years of her life, Cindy's battle with Alzheimer's disease was both heartbreaking and a reflection of her strength and resilience. Despite the challenges, Cindy's family remained her greatest joy and source of pride. They were unwavering in their love and care for her, honoring her with the same devotion she had given them throughout her life.
Cindy's memory will live on in the hearts of many, including her loving husband, Steve; her three daughters, Kris (Andy) Hartman, Kimberly (Joe) Miller, and Stephanie (Jason) Santo; her eight grandchildren: Madison, Chase, Presley, Reese, Griffin, Eleanor, Cleo, and Harper. Cindy leaves behind her brother Mike Dovel and aunt Phyllis Jackson; she was preceded in death by her sister Toni, brother Dennis, and parents, Gordon and Eleanor Louise Dovel.
A celebration of Cindy's life will be held at Strang Funeral Chapel, 410 E Belvidere Road, Grayslake, IL 60030 on Saturday, May 17, 2025 from 4pm until 5pm. The visitation will begin at 4:00pm, followed by the service at 5:00pm. We hope that friends and family will gather with us to share stories, celebrate Cindy's extraordinary life, and reflect on the countless ways she touched the hearts of those around her. Visitors are encouraged to wear something other than black so that we can make Cindy's celebration of life a colorful one. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Cindy's memory to the Alzheimer's Association.https://donorservices.alz.org/page/FUNYAFYQDKA
For more information log onto www.strangfuneral.org or contact (847)223-8122.