Cynthia A. Shelmidine | Obituaries

Cynthia A. Shelmidine, 1543 Weaver Rd, Mannsville, devoted wife, mother and grandmother, died on September 16, 2021 at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester after a brief battle with leukemia.

Her funeral will take place on Friday, September 24, 2021 at 11 a.m. at the Carpenter Stoodley Funeral Home, Belleville, NY. The office hours are on Thursday, September 23, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. in the funeral home.

Cindy was born on January 12, 1953 in Watertown, NY, to Rosemary L. Weldon. Cindy was a graduate of Jefferson Community College and Oswego State University. She received her Masters in Criminal Justice from the University at Albany. She was one of four candidates from across the state selected for a full law enforcement scholarship to attend.

Cindy began her career in 1976 with the Department of Social Services. She left the office on a law enforcement appeal and became the first female police officer in the Watertown City Police Department. She first worked as a patrol officer, later as a coroner. After completing her Masters degree, she stayed with the faculty and taught evenings at Jefferson Community College. She later became a full-time faculty member at the college and subsequently became chair of the Criminal Justice Division. Cindy retired in 2016. During her time at JCC, she received the NY State Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching.

Cindy met her husband, John, while she was working in the Department of Social Services. They were married on July 2, 1983. She has a 38-year-old husband with two sons, William A. (Mary) and Andrew J. (Danielle), and two grandchildren, James Daniel and Carol Ann. She was previously deceased by her mother, Rosemary L. Weldon.

Cindy loved traveling and camping and saw much of the United States with her family. She loved history and traveled to Gettysburg almost every year to learn about the Civil War. She loved reading novels, especially the works of Stephen King. She loved backyard get-togethers and decorating for every holiday and season. She collected Star Wars and Star Trek memorabilia and enjoyed cooking for any occasion. She also collected teapots and lighthouses.

Cindy and John’s garden is still a meeting place for the friends of their sons, whom they will forever refer to as “Mama Shelmidine”. Her granddaughter and cats were the loves of their lives.

It leaves us with a great emptiness in our hearts.

Instead of flowers, donations can also be made to the Belleville Volunteer Fire Department or the Ellisburg Rural Cemetery Fund.

Online condolences can be made at www.carpenterstoodley.com.