Cynthia West

1962 - 2021

Cynthia Jean West unexpectedly passed away Jan. 5, 2021, at her home in Fairbanks of heart failure.
Cyndee is remembered by her family and colleagues as a selfless and energetic problem solver. She never shied from responsibility. If a problem was particularly tough, her response was always, "Give me a few days and I'll figure it out." Her approach was the same for family, friends, and colleagues. Cyndee never met a stranger because they instantly became part of her tribe! Her giving heart shined brightly, and everyone knew they could always count on her.
Cyndee was born Oct. 8, 1962, in Lamar, Colorado, to Eldon Hays and Florence Spitzer. She grew up and attended school in Wiley and Lamar.
In June 1983, she enlisted in the U.S. Air Force as an Aircraft Maintenance Specialist (C-130 Crew Chief). It was as an Airman that she met Airman Wilmer Jay West while both being stationed at Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines. They were married April 13, 1985, only 30 days after meeting each other and they celebrated their 34th wedding anniversary before his passing April 22, 2019. They were also stationed in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, where she finished out her career as an information management specialist. She was honorably discharged in August 1992.
Cyndee then found an outlet for her vibrant personality as a Tupper Lady in the Tupperware World. She was the Top Tupper Lady in Alaska in 1994 and was recognized as such at the Tupperware Grand Tour in Myrtle Beach. A highlight of that trip was selling an order of Tupperware to Denzel Washington when she intercepted his limousine at the airport.
A turning point in her career was in 1997-99 when she was executive secretary to Dean David O. Porter at the UAF School of Management, beginning a lifelong collaboration between Cyndee and David. In 1999, David convinced her to accept the position of general manager and partner at the Bush Pilot Restaurant and Lounge at Fairbanks International Airport. She and David successfully operated the Bush Pilot until 2002. As general manager, she became the unofficial hostess and problem solver to travelers and airport staff. In the aftermath of the attack on the NYC World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, Cyndee led the charge for the Bush Pilot to gratuitously feed planeloads of passengers who were stranded for a week in Fairbanks.
In 2002, Cyndee was hired as administrative assistant for United Academics (UNAC), the union representing full time faculty in the University of Alaska System. At the time of her hire, UNAC was in its infancy and did not have sufficient funds saved to cover her position. The American Federation of Teachers helped out with a grant. She was promoted to contract manager and as such became the go-to person for all UNAC members and officers. Abel Bult-Ito, president of UNAC, remembered her as "the heart and soul" of UNAC. She remained with UNAC until her untimely death at age 58, giving a total of 23 dedicated years to the university.
Cyndee is survived by her mother, Flossie and Harry Spitzer; brothers, Eldon, Eric, Lee Hays and Greg Spitzer; children, Melissia and Jason Williams, Miles, Monica and Matthew West; and grandchildren, Jemma and Makiyah Williams.
In deference to the COVID-19 pandemic, her family plans to hold a celebration of life on July 3, 2021. Details of the time and place will be announced. Cyndee loved the Fourth of July and everything red, white, blue and patriotic; and no better way to celebrate her then during one of her favorite holidays!
The family requests in lieu of flowers that donations be made to this GoFundMe account, CyndeeWest Memorial Fund at gf.me/u/zft3pp, which will provide for the celebration of life and help defray expenses related to her unexpected passing.