WEBSTER - Cynthia M. “Cindy” Smith,69, passed away on Friday, September 25, 2026, at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, holding the hand of her beloved “twinny” Susan. She had lived with cancer for an extraordinary 11½ years, but that was only one chapter of a life filled with creativity, generosity, courage, laughter, and love.
She was born in Worcester on November 30, 1956, a daughter of the late Marie (Welch) and Frank Smith. She graduated from Bartlett High School in 1974 and, following her creative spirit, from Rittner’s School of Floral Design in Boston in 1975.
Cindy discovered her love of flowers while working at Eddie’s Greenhouses during high school and for 5 years following design school. She went on to spend nearly 30 years at Dugan’s Drug in Webster as a pharmacy technician and assistant manager. She was also a certified orthotic and mastectomy fitter When Dugan’s closed, she took a courageous leap: at age 47, she opened Cindy’s Flowers and Gift Shoppe in the very space the drugstore had occupied. It was the dream she had “kept in her back pocket,” as she liked to say. Within three years, she was named Businessperson of the Year.
Through her shop, Cindy brought beauty and comfort to people throughout Webster and the surrounding communities. She considered it an honor to be part of their happiest moments—weddings, new babies, graduations, and birthdays—and their saddest, when flowers could express what words could not.
After selling her flower shop, Cindy joined BankHometown, first as a receptionist and later in Operations as a Deposit Services Specialist. She retired in 2022.
Cindy was active in the Webster-Dudley-Oxford Chamber of Commerce, the Webster-Dudley Business Alliance, and the St. Louis League of Catholic Women. She coordinated Daffodil Days and Love Lights a Tree for the American Cancer Society, as well as food drives for the local Food Share program.
A gifted artist, Cindy loved helping others discover their own creativity. She was certified to teach the Donna Dewberry One-Stroke Painting Technique. Nothing pleased her more than hearing someone insist, “I can’t paint,” and then watching them realize that perhaps they could. She was also an adventurous cook who generously shared recipes, tips, and shortcuts—especially with the non-cooks among us. She always knew just the right dish for an occasion, including Sunday football snacks, though her interest was in the snacks rather than the game. She even had the confidence to serve a brand-new recipe to company, usually with delicious results.
Cindy is survived by her twin sister, Susan Cyr and her husband Darryl Cyr; a brother-in-law, Stan Starkey; a sister-in-law, Virginia Lynch; her nieces and nephews, Michael, James and his wife Darcie, Leslie, Maria, Robin, and Annemarie; her cherished great-nieces and great-nephews, especially Josie and Waylon Starkey; cousins; and her former husband, Dan Nachajko.
She was predeceased by her parents; by her beloved grandparents, affectionately known as “Neenie and Dada”; by her three older siblings, Brian F. Smith, PhD also known as” Z. G. Standing Bear”, Kevin J. Smith, and Dianne M. Starkey; and by her sister-in-law, Sally Smith.
Cindy’s illness demanded tremendous strength, but cancer did not define her. She will be remembered for the beauty she created, the talents she shared, the dream she dared to pursue, and the happiness, comfort, and inspiration she brought to so many. Her life, like the flowers she loved, was vibrant, colorful, and meant to be shared.
Cindy specifically asked those attending her services to wear bright colors. Florals and sparkles are especially welcome. She wanted her “celebration of love” to reflect the color, joy, and light with which she lived.
Family and friends are invited to calling hours from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, October 23, at Scanlon Funeral Service, 38 East Main Street. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Saturday, October 24, in Saint Louis Church, 14 Lake Street, Webster (please meet at church). Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Dudley.
Cindy loved flowers, and floral tributes are warmly welcomed. Those wishing to honor her in another way may support research directed by her beloved oncologist, James Cleary, MD, PhD, at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Donations may be made online: https://danafarber.jimmyfund.org/site/Donation2?df_id=2100&mfc_pref=T&2100.donation=form1; please designate the gift “For the benefit of James Cleary, MD, PhD—Research.” Checks may be mailed to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284-9168, with “James Cleary, MD, PhD—Research” on the memo line.
Cindy’s family and friends extend their deepest gratitude to Dr. Cleary and Cindy’s care teams at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, and at the Wound Care Center, Charlton, and to The Overlook for Short-Term Rehabilitation in Charlton. Their years of devotion, compassion, and care will never be forgotten.