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In remembrance
One year after her death, friends,
colleagues recall Athletic Director Cindy Shoenhair
Following is a compilation of memories and reflections of Cindy Shoenhair, former athletic direct or of PVCC. Cindy worked for PVCC in many capacities including Assistant Athletic Director and Emerging Leaders and First Year Experience faculty from 1988 until she succumbed to breast cancer one year ago this month. She is dearly loved and deeply missed by all whose lives' she touched. Memories of Cindy Courageous, caring, creative, compassionate, Christ-centered. These words and many more like role model, innovative, student-focused and family-oriented give just a small flavor of who Cindy was and her impact on me, her other friends, her students and her colleagues. Yes, Cindy's legacy is "things" you can see like the athletic program and fields, the First Year Experience program. But Cindy's real legacy is how she positively impacted those around her. Cindy believed that you should strive for the best in a program, in students, in your own life. I met Cindy in 1986 when she was a fitness instructor at Gateway Community College's Fitness Center and I worked at the District Office, which was located on Gateway's site. Little did I know that we both would go to Paradise Valley Community College and collaborate on projects as well as become good friends. Cindy was constantly looking for ways she could improve student learning and her teaching, and provide more opportunities for students. Either she or Donna Rebadow would get an idea or identify a problem, share it with the other, brainstorm and dream and then bring it to me so that I could help them get it through the bureaucracy and procedures of the community college system. Cindy always had time for others. She would stop what she was doing to help anyone who was dealing with cancer or had a family member who had just gotten the diagnosis. She would share her knowledge, resources and positive attitude. Cindy loved the Seniors who took her Senior Aerobics class and was very sad when she had to stop teaching them because of her health. Her work with the athletes and with the students in the First Year Experience program and Emerging Leaders class went beyond the day-to-day interactions. Even when her cancer and the chemo made it painful and difficult to walk, Cindy would come to her office in order to check on and meet with students. Family also defined who Cindy was. She cherished her children, Jordan, Ike, and the twins, Abby and Samantha. She would bring them to athletic events, enroll them in Puma Kids College, bring them by her office when she needed to pick up papers, etc. We watched them grow and helped her create memories for them the last year of her life. We had "girls movie night" at her house, went camping, went to movies and musicals. Cindy wanted to live long enough for the twins to reach their 18th birthday; they turned 8 the week before she died. I'll always remember Cindy's smile, the bounce in her step, her energy and push to make life better for all. Most of all, I'll remember how Cindy relied on her faith, cared about others, changed lives. —Mary Lou Mosley Assistant Dean of Instruction
I think of Cindy often, particularly when I walk about our campus. There are places where I remember her most, places we had talks, sharing about our trials, hopes, and always something special about our students. Her hugs come to mind because that is how we often ended a conversation, a hug and a "see ya' later." I really miss those hugs. Cindy loved the wilderness. She had a reverence for it, and I think she experienced it as a master teacher. What she learned from it, she shared with others, encouraging them to immerse themselves in it and to embrace the sense of the wild. I remember seeing a picture of her on a hike. She is sitting pensively, perhaps wistfully, on a boulder, looking outward. I wonder many times what she was thinking about then. Cindy and I wore the same kind of watch, the kind that could measure barometric pressure and elevation. We would compare readings on campus to see how accurate the measurements were. It was fun doing that, predicting when storms would be coming in or if it was going to be a hot day, just by comparing data from our watches. We must have looked pretty silly making such a big deal over our Casio watches like that. We didn't care. We had fun. Once in awhile I would leave a message on Cindy's office answering machine that included a song that had a special meaning I thought she would like. She would call back later and tell me how much the song meant to her, and it came at the "right time." There were times when her words of encouragement during difficult times in my own life came at the "right time," too. She was so dedicated to teaching. Her passion was to teach and she had so much compassion for her students. She really cared about her First Year Experience students, and was committed to developing and implementing the program on campus. I felt blessed and honored when she asked me to be one of the supporting FYE instructors. To assist me with teaching the FYE students, she would give me useful education articles, typically with a note at the top—"David—I thought you might find this interesting. Cindy." That was so typical of her, sharing new ideas, studies and creative ways to serve our students at PVCC. —David Harber Biology Faculty Cindy Shoenhair continues to live in each of the many faculty, staff and especially students that were fortunate to work with her. Her work ethic, her personal value system and her intelligence are unmatched in excellence. She was courageous in initiating new projects, such as athletics, the FYE program and Emerging Leaders. She was completely full of heart in her teaching and what she gave students. Students in her classes not only learned from her, but knew they were touched by an angel—not just a sweet person, but a wise soul that you meet once in a lifetime and changes your life in a positive manner forever. There are so many ways she was engaged on campus that no one could be untouched by her generosity, curiosity and passion. Her work will endure permanently, and I feel honored to have known her. —Jim Rubin Faculty Counseling Division Chair Who was Cindy Shoenhair? I worked with Cindy as Athletic Secretary at PVCC (in the early years—six years to be exact). During that time, I got to know Cindy in her job as assistant athletic director and then as athletic director. Cindy was a very strong-willed person. She didn't hesitate to go after anything that needed to be sought. She was very approachable—as anyone could see in her interactions with the student athletes and coaches. She was always concerned about people—to make sure that their needs were met. She checked in with me daily to make sure things were running smoothly—never wanting things to get too stressful. She helped in any way she could to make things easier for everyone and expected nothing in return. Cindy was a person who enjoyed life. She didn't need any "bells or whistles" to make her happy. She was the kind of person who would stop and "smell the roses" only to enjoy the beauty of nature. Her family, her friends, her students, her athletes and coaches and her work at the campus seemed to be priorities in her life—and she took care of them well. She was a very unique person who "loved to live" and "lived to love." Who is Cindy—now that she is gone? Cindy is a very strong role model in my life. I think of her often and remember how she loved her life, the people in it and the beauty that surrounded her. She is truly an inspiration to me—as I go through my life and try to view the world (and everything in it) with an open mind—as Cindy did. I feel very fortunate to have known her. —Pat Boehnlein Administrative Assistant Return to top of page We are forever blessed by Cindy's infinite spark of light. One of Cindy's favorite things to do was to gaze into the flames of a campfire. Often during Emerging Leaders outings, she would remain at the fire after everyone had retired to have a private moment of reflection. She would often speak of the flames of the fire as a metaphor for the spark of light that exists within all students and was committed to helping students discover that spark. She spoke of wellness, of leadership, of vision, of human potential. She encouraged and inspired everyone who knew her to be the best they could be. Cindy's life was a beautiful expression of compassion, integrity and inspiration for humanity. —Heather Anderson, Program Coordinator, Student Life Center Cindy was my colleague. Cindy was my friend. Cindy was my teacher. I learned from her as my teaching partner in our First Year Experience/Learning Community. I learned from her when she took the lead in designing our FYE course. And most importantly, I learned from her about the blessings that come from the integration of profession, family, motherhood and faith. Cindy was a teacher's teacher. She was my teacher.
Director of Student Life/Service Learning When people ask me about Cindy, I often hear myself saying "she's one of the best people I've ever known." She taught me so many valuable things and I would like to share a few:
—Jen Tylka Athletics Return to top of page In Just a Few Minutes
Cindy and I first met when she was teaching at Gateway Community College in 1986. So, both of us were glad that we already knew each other when she started teaching at PVCC two years later. We have shared lots of memories working "across the hall" from each other for 13 years. It was great when we decided to work on our doctorates together; we decided to form our cohort of two when we started out at ASU in 1992. Then she and Dan and the kids went to Florida for a year and when she came back, she had her hands full raising "the twins." After that we decided to transfer to NAU and finish our doctorates in Educational Leadership. Leadership, God, family, friends and students were all extremely important things to Cindy. We had lots of time to discuss things while traveling around to meetings, classes, and activities. I have to say that she was one of the best friends that I have ever had. Her battle with cancer was remarkable. She constantly amazed me. I would ask her to let me drive whenever we went to her CAT scans, doctor visits and chemotherapy treatments but she always insisted on driving! We'd be talking; she'd be driving and chugging down her barium for the scans! I told her "one hand on the wheel and one hand on the bottle Shoenhair." I did everything I could to do to make her laugh! She shared with me her vision for the FYE program, the athletic program, her kids and her career. She loved the ocean, the beach and rock hunting. We were always planning our once a month trip to the beaches of San Diego. We were going to walk the beaches, look for rocks, talk to God and talk to each other. We loved to plan these trips. She was too sick to go on them but just talking about them helped us both! She was very touched by the outpouring of love that she received from the PVCC community. She always remarked about what the coaches and athletes were doing for her, what her colleagues were doing to help her and her family and what the Senior Aerobics folks meant to her in her battle! She loved the students who shaved their heads for her, the movies that she was able to see with her kids because of the CARE package she got from all of you and the pictures and advice her got from "her Seniors." We shared secrets, hopes, dreams, families, birthdays, philosophies, books and a very special friendship. She would give me a book every Christmas and every birthday. I couldn't wait to see what she would write in the book. The last book that she gave me sums up the kind of thing that we always shared. The name of the book is "Into the Tangle of Friendship" by Beth Kephart. I was there was she went to heaven. I held her hand, I read her her favorite Scripture passages, I told her that I would keep all of the promises that she asked of me and we were able to share our one last secret together. So, I think the greatest memory that I have of my dear friend is our last words that we spoke to one another and this I will share with you now. "I know that we have to part for now, my dear friend, but where you are going time does not exist. So, it may seem long to me, but know that I will see you again, and for you it will be in just a few minutes. Goodbye, travel well, know that I love you and I'll see you again in just a few minutes!" —Donna Rebadow Health and Exercise Science Faculty
Many of us knew Cindy through all of her good work on campus in the many roles she played—athletics director, First Year Experience coordinator, teacher, and Emerging Leaders facilitator. Beyond that, and perhaps more importantly, we knew her as a friend. As good as she was in her other life roles, this was the role she played the best. Thank you for the opportunity to share. —Paul Dale Dean of Student Services What can one say about Cindy. . . Cindy was the most courageous person I have ever had the pleasure of working with. She was always there for the students to encourage, nurture and support in time of need. She was always ready to take on a challenge, be a friend or just talk with you. Even though she was so supportive, you needed to pull your weight or she would let you know about it. I will always cherish working with her, doing the athletics book scholarships. Those athletes can be quite the handful to deal with. She was always on top of it! She was as tough as nails yet soft in her heart. Finding the best in everyone and bringing it out. She is deeply missed, and I will always remember her by the thank you's she has given me over the years. All the beanie babies on my desk are "thank you's" from Cindy. I still have them on my computer and will always carry Cindy in my heart. Thank you, Cindy, for finding the best in me too! —Suzanne Barnes Office Coordinator for Student Life/Honors I first met Cindy Shoenhair when I became involved with Emerging Leaders. Just 22 Months
Just a month after Cindy Shoenhair discovered her cancer had returned I received the following email message from her: "Hi. So, how do you feel about partnering with me on a session for the Jan. Learning week?" And my response was: "I will partner with you any time, any place." Although I only knew Cindy for a short time, I learned so much from her about living—in just 22 months. Despite the fact that Cindy's cancer had returned, she was living each day to the fullest and teaching me about faith, hope, strength and courage. Her faith was strong, and we talked about the power of prayer. After hearing about my family member's successful battle with cancer, she said, "Renee. He is your miracle, and He gives the rest of us hope." Her hope was that she would have another 11 years to watch all of her children graduate from high school. I realized her faith and hope provided her with the strength and courage to fight. I remember her smile and laugh. I remember her energy and perseverance. I remember her daily orange juice. I remember our trips to Jamba Juice to buy protein/vitamin packed smoothies. I miss those days. I miss my friend and colleague, and often think about those gifts she gave me—in just 22 months. —Renee Cornell English Faculty Though I only knew Cindy for two and half years, it seems now as if I had known her all my life. She made a dramatic impact on my life and on who I am today. There is a quote that goes like this: "It is not the length of life but the depth that matters." This was the case with Cindy. She lived life to the fullest, enjoyed every day and loved working with students. After being hired by Cindy, our first meetings were not about athletics but about who I was and what I stood for. Cindy was interested in getting to know me. She made me feel a part of the PVCC family immediately. It was typical of Cindy to have not meetings but a conversation over lunch or a hike. One of our first Athletics meetings was hiking Camelback Mountain. Although she was never a collegiate athlete or coach, Cindy brought wisdom and guidance to our athletic department. She offered insight, dedication and leadership to all of our student-athletes and coaches. She also inspired and gave me the courage to be the best person I could be, whether it was a coach, colleague, friend, wife or mother. Before practices and games I try to take a moment to sit on her bench overlooking the practice field she built. It feels like I am talking with her and her spirit is there watching over me. She was such an inspiration to me and I am so fortunate to have known her. Thank you Cindy, for allowing me to be a part of your life. You are my inspiration... —Amy Garelick Women's Soccer Coach Related Links Cindy Shoenhair in memorial Puma Press Article October 2001 Puma Press April 2001 Return to top of page |
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Last updated: October 3, 2002 |
