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CYNTHIA FRIEDMAN (CINDY ROSS)
Born: Aug 19, 1971
Date of Passing: Dec 24, 2018
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryCYNTHIA (CINDY) FRIEDMAN, PHD, FRSA August 19, 1971 - December 24, 2018 Tragically and unexpectedly, Cindy (née Ross) died due to an aortic dissection on Christmas Eve morning while visiting her family in Penticton. She was 47 years old. Mourning her are her husband Tom, her stepsons, Nathan and Benjamin, her mother Rose Anne Ross, her sister Kelly Ross, her brother-in-law Alex Lafreniere and her extended family in BC, Manitoba and Ontario. Cindy was predeceased by her father Paul. Cindy was born in Winnipeg and educated at the University of Manitoba which awarded her a PhD in Biological Sciences in 2002. She taught at U. of M. and then moved to Kamloops, BC in 2004. She and Tom married in 2007. Her distinguished academic career included awards for teaching, research and service and many publications on Arceuthobium - dwarf mistletoe - including in the prestigious Nature Communications. She twice appeared on CBC Radio's Quirks & Quarks with Bob McDonald to discuss her research. Cindy was inducted into the inaugural cohort of the Royal Society of Canada's College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists in 2014, and was made a Fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts (U.K.) in 2016 in recognition of her commitment to social and environmental justice. She appreciated the respect of her peers in the scientific community but was most proud of her role in mentoring and inspiring students. Most recently, Cindy taught at the University of Alberta and Concordia University of Edmonton. Cindy was an early opponent of the proposed Ajax mine and was instrumental in organizing community forums and rallying opposition to the mine through her work with the Kamloops Area Preservation Association. She was an active member of the Kamloops & District Labour Council and the TRU Faculty Association and advocated tenaciously for workers' rights. Cindy strongly believed that scientists have a duty to effect change through public engagement, an undertaking she embraced fearlessly throughout her life. Outside of her academic and community involvement, Cindy was an accomplished keyboardist and vocalist, performing both solo and with the Latin band Caliente. Her interest in genetics early in her career led to a love of sphynx cats and she was a strong supporter of the SPCA. Our world is significantly diminished by her death. A celebration of Cindy's life will be held on Saturday, January 12, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at the Kamloops United Church, 421 St. Paul Street, Kamloops.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 04, 2019
Condolences & Memories (10 entries)
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My deepest condolences to Tom, his family, Cindy's family and all her friends. I am truly shocked to hear this news. Cindy was a dear friend, an advocate for justice and a great friend. Cindy has left us with an shining legacy that will live on for generations.. I will miss her .. May you rest in peace my dearest friend.. Simon Francis Shamoun, Ph.D. Research Scientist, Canadian Forest Service, Pacific Forestry Centre Victoria, BC Canada. - Posted by: Simon Francis Shamoun (Colleague/friend) on: Feb 09, 2019
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I've just learned of her passing and I'm very shocked. My deep condolences to all her family. Cindy and I worked together musically for a few years when I lived in Winnipeg. I found her solo tape "Burned Fences" in the indie section at my record store and on a whim called her up, and asked if she ever needed a drummer to let me know. She thanked me and we hung up. A few months later, she called me back saying she had some new material and was I interested in doing a piano/drum band, to which I agreed immediately. We recorded the album "Fraxinus in Phoenix" in my basement. copying each tape by hand and delivering it in person to bars and record stores. We played a handful of gigs around town that I will always remember. Cindy had a quirky and engaging sense of melody and her songs sounded like nothing else I've heard, even today. She was bright, quick, funny, incredibly dedicated, completely without artifice and passionate about everything she loved and she wouldn't hesitate a moment to tell you if she was unhappy about something. I still have all the tapes we made, a CBC session, live recordings plus a few demos she sent me whenever she wrote a new song, and I will always treasure them. - Posted by: Lee Rosevere (Friend/musical partner) on: Jan 15, 2019
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Cindy was a very active member of the Canadian Botanical Association, and a person who was willing to take on all sorts of responsibilities with great enthusiasm. She was particularly interested in the Teaching Section, and was for a time a chair of the section, organizing sectional meetings and poster competitions. She was a delight to work with! She organized the annual CBA meeting at TRU in Kamloops..and it was a great success. I remember getting an email from her one morning just before the conference, and noted the time it had been sent, 4.00am. As she said later she was working on the plans, and felt she might as well get up and put them into action rather than just thinking about them. She will be missed! My condolences to Tom and Cindy's family. - Posted by: Christine D Maxwell (friend) on: Jan 11, 2019
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My condolences. I met Cindy in University and remember her as a creative, super smart, inspirational woman. Anyone near her was elevated by her light. I'm saddened to hear she is gone. - Posted by: Vera Banias (Friend) on: Jan 11, 2019
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I remember Cindy from university. Full of life and smiles. I remember she was so proud of her album “Fraxinus in Phoenix” - which I still have a copy of, such a lovely voice, such a lovely person. I’ve only recently found her again through social media. The world is worse today for the loss of such a beautiful soul. My condolences to all who loved her best. - Posted by: Michelle Hendrie (Friend) on: Jan 11, 2019
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A very wise woman once told me to seek out great people, and spend as much time as you can with them, because they will change your life in the best ways possible. Cindy was truly great. Like Brenna I met Cindy in grade 9 - and quickly it was evident that her gifts were astonishing. While others including myself had the intellectual horsepower of a Ford Mustang (which incidentally was Cindy's cherished car when I knew her best), Cindy's mind was more like a Boeing 747. But despite the gift of genius she was also humble, funny and kind. And even at that young age she was instructive - she taught me to be funny, without being mean to others. I had the good fortune to co-author a play with Cindy. For hours we wrote and laughed. But with someone as great as Cindy - saying that she collaborated with me was like saying Shakespeare collaborated with his quill pen (of course I was the pen). What we turned out was a campy piece - In our minds reminiscent of something from Henry Miller and John Waters (you might guess which influence was mine). Even though your life was entirely too short - Cindy what you accomplished was remarkable, even breath-taking. And you changed me, and I am sure countless others, in the best ways. Cindy, my friend - it was an honor, truly. - Posted by: Ray Parker (Friend) on: Jan 05, 2019
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So sorry for your loss. Cindy was a beautiful person. She was a fantastic study partner and mentor. She will be truly missed. Cindy I am sure we will see each other again! ❤️ - Posted by: Suzanne Morin (Childhood friend) on: Jan 04, 2019
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Cindy was one of my closest friends in High School. We met on the first day of Grade 9, and were two corners of the triumvirate that included Ray Parker. The three of us even went to Grad together, eschewing dates. Cindy was smart, beautiful, funny, talented and tough. All my memories of her are positive ones, usually of her quirky sense of humour and wry observations. She was an amazing, supportive friend to me, and she will always have my respect and admiration. Mostly, I regret that I'll never have the chance to see her again - to hear her tell me about her life experiences and observations on the world at large. Her passing is a great loss, to all who knew her. - Posted by: Brenna Douglas (High School Friend) on: Jan 04, 2019
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Dear RoseAnne and family, So sorry for your loss. We know first hand what a shock this is. We are keeping you in our thoughts. Cindy was a lovely young lady, who grew up on Hansford Road along with our daughters. We will never forget the Ross family. Take Care, Doug, Judy Walton and Suzanne Gorrell. - Posted by: The Walton's (Neighbors from Hansford Rd, Winnipeg ) on: Jan 04, 2019
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Kelly and family... I am at a loss for words over hearing this tragic news. My deepest condolences go out to you all during this difficult time. I'm so, so sorry. Tricia and Arjoon family - Posted by: Tricia Arjoon (Childhood friend and Windsor Park Hansford Rd Neighbour) on: Jan 04, 2019