Cindy Payne Obituary

Cindy (Peters) Payne(66) passed away on Friday, January 7th, 2022. A retired teacher who never stopped teaching, Cindy embraced all facets of life and love. She was a loving mother and grandmother, consummate sports enthusiast and competitor in tennis and golf, and had too many hobbies to list. Her curiosity for everything led her to explore interests in nature, sports, human nature, history, cultures, and books. She was also filled with ready humor and quick wit. A perfect combination for meeting the love of her life, David Mancinelli, in 1995. Together, they brought each other laughter, deep conversations, silly conversations, exploring life together, supporting each other through difficult times, building each other up, and building up everyone around them. Cindy was born November 26th, 1955, in Longmont, Colorado to Donald Eugene Peters and Norma Jean (Burback) Peters. Cindy attended Longmont High School and graduated from UNC with a bachelors and then a masters. Her first marriage to Steven Payne, brought her two young sons, Chris and Joel, whom she loved and raised as her own. Their daughter Amy was born with an identical twin, Brooke Allison. Sadly for all, Brooke died three days later, a deep and lasting loss. Cindy and her daughter were especially close, naturally so similar in disposition and values. Though Cindy parented with strong morals, values, and boundaries, their mother-daughter relationship naturally resulted in a bond of friendship, mutual interests, and deep love and caring. She was made to be a teacher and a mentor. She started out her teaching career at Mountain View Elementary School, followed by Sanborn Elementary School, the perfect places for her warm, caring demeanor. Never one to settle, she was intrigued by the concept of middle school, and she moved on to Westview, where she thrived, developing a passion for the middle school learner, building relationships with students and leading others to become their best. Cindy moved on to professional development in the school district where she expanded her reach of influence, and then joined CU to coach and mentor student teachers. There are thousands of teachers and students impacted by Cindy's profound mentorship. Cindy was quiet-spoken, soft, gentle, with a fierce soul and strong determination. The first thing anyone noticed about Cindy was her radiant warmth. She exuded warmth and a welcoming smile, whether in the classroom, welcoming anyone into her home, or a chance encounter in town. She drew people into her orbit like magic. As kind and gentle as Cindy was, she was also no-nonsense whip smart with high expectations and integrity. She could give "that look": a stance: hands on hips, head cocked, and that direct stare, that spoke volumes. Cindy had many passions (beyond the color purple and dark chocolate). Throughout her teaching years and beyond, Cindy played high level tennis, and her passion and determination led to many successes and many friendships. It also led to her coaching tennis at Niwot High School, where she forged strong bonds with the tennis team, leading so many of the boys to excel because of her compassionate, kind, inspiring leadership. Cindy was gracious, compassionate, wise, intuitive, and she knew how to find the gold in everyone she met. That sphere of Cindy's influence was broad and deep. She had golf friends, teacher friends, neighbor friends, old friends and always new friends. Cindy and David together inspired each other, and others. They enjoyed family and built a home to share with their children and grandchildren. They were always there for family and friends, together, taking care of each other and others. Their love for each other has been a constant, a model, and an inspiration. When Cindy's health began to decline in 2010, they worked together to find answers, to support each other, and they did this with grace and compassion. Her spirit of strength, compassion, kindness, and love will forever inspire those in her orbit, especially her dearest, kindest, equally determined love of her life, David. Cindy was predeceased by her mother Norma (Burback) Peters, and her daughter Brooke Allison Payne. She is survived by her father Don Eugene Peters, her brother Greg and Betty Peters, nephew Anthony, her spouse David Mancinelli, sons Christopher Payne and partner Lisa, Joel Payne, daughter Amy and partner Tyler, grandchildren Keenan and partner Lacy, and Kilyn, and countless close friends. There will be a celebration of life in late spring. Donations can be made in her honor on her page on The Michael J. Fox Foundation site https://tribute.michaeljfox.org/tribute-page.php?id=2235&np=true

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Published by Longmont Times-Call on Jan. 18, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for Cindy Payne

6 Entries

Rhonda Adler

February 3, 2022

Cindy was such an inspirational person! I remember her from high school. She was a friend to everyone. Thoughts and prayers to her entire family!

Colin Rickman

January 29, 2022

A Final Lesson
Colin Rickman

I believe most of us had influential teachers that had a positive impact on our lives. Whether it was the teacher that read a book in a way that made you hang on every word spurring a love of reading or the quirky science teacher that shared a love of space and rockets; Teachers play extraordinary roles in the lives of young people. For me, one of those teachers was Cindy Payne.

I was lucky enough to have Ms. Payne for math during my time at Westview Middle School. To paraphrase Maya Angelou, `people will forget what you said and did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.´ I don´t remember the lessons on algebra or what I needed to know for the final exam, but I can tell you how Ms. Payne made me feel; safe and cared for. When you walked into her classroom, you were valued and encouraged to not only be yourself, but the best version of it. Like most teachers, she did more than just teach an academic subject like math. She was a counselor, a nurse, a mentor, a role model, and a trusted adult. As I moved on from middle school and to the next stages of my education and life, I´ve held onto life lessons and encouraging words that Ms. Payne took the time to tell me. Like the way we treat people, no matter who they are or what their position is in life, is a reflection of our character. That if I continued to treat others with kindness, it will be the foundation of my ability to lead others. Wisdom I needed to hear at a time that helped shape me into who I am today.

The recent news of Ms. Payne´s passing prompted some reflection. A teacher´s life´s work has an immeasurable impact on so many and a legacy that is far reaching. The thousands of students that Ms. Payne taught over the years were fortunate to have her as one of their teachers. She made a difference in my life and will be dearly missed but not easily forgotten. Thank you Ms. Payne for giving us all that knew you a lesson that you taught through the way you lived your life; kindness matters.

Annastasia Trahern-Jones

January 27, 2022

I had you as my teacher in 6th grade at Sanborn Elementary. You were my absolute favorite. I am so privileged to have had you as a mentor and a friend. You taught me so much. Thank you Mrs. Payne.

Sue Bolton

January 19, 2022

So admired Cindy as a teacher, a tennis player, and wonderful person. Always remember running a 10-K race with her, years ago. Neither of us really being runners, we talked each other through it, and made it to the finish line. Cindy will be missed by everyone whose paths she crossed.

Ericka Pilon

January 18, 2022

Cindy had a profound effect on my teaching career at Westview. Blessed to have learned from her. Many prayers sent.