Cynthia Baxter

Cynthia lived a beautiful life of creativity, joy and commitment to loving relationship. She faced challenges with courage and resilience. She reveled in nature, and sharing with fellow humans. She brought so much beauty into our lives. Painting on the beach with her grandchildren, designing beautiful living spaces, cooking, travelling, cherishing the unique gifts of each person in her life – her generous heart was a model to us all. After a long journey with Alzheimer’s, she died with her signature grace and decisiveness, following a brief period of distress.

Cynthia was born in Winnipeg – the beloved child of Thomas and Bette Horne. Her family spent a few years on the West Coast during World War II, which included the adventure of living at Woodlands, where Cynthia first fell in love with tides and cedars. Back in Winnipeg, Cynthia completed a degree in Interior Design at U of M, winning a top award. She married Richard Baxter in 1955. They built a house on the Red River, providing their six children with a magical space for outdoor play. They enjoyed a network of Winnipeg family, friends and community.

Even in her busiest family years, Cynthia made time for contributing to social change. She founded a pre-school, was an early advocate for sex education, and lobbied for women’s rights and LGBTQ rights. She was an advocate for progressive change within the Anglican Church.

Cynthia and Richard moved to the West Coast in 1971. Soon after, Cynthia founded Design West Interiors with her dear friend Judy Dennis. She helped found a book club that read and discussed the great emerging literature of our times, and saw its members through more than forty years of life.

Cynthia relished the beauty of the West Coast, and sharing times in nature with friends and family. The North Shore mountains, Pasley Island, Lighthouse Park, Qualicum and Rathtrevor beaches, False Creek, and the Comox Valley were among her favorite places to spend time. She enjoyed becoming an expert boat captain, with lots of practice commuting to the family cabin in Indian Arm.

Cynthia had an active art practice throughout her life. She created monoprints and acrylic paintings well into her eighties. Her landscapes pare away non-essential details, revealing the essence of a place. The same magic was reflected in her journey with Alzheimer’s. While there were times of fear and agitation, as her journey progressed, her deep spirit grew and glowed. Even when she could no longer walk or talk, she would emanate joy, and loving presence.

Cynthia is survived by an extended network of close friends and family, including: her six children and their partners, Caffyn Kelley (Mearnie Summers, d.), Wendy Baxter (Claire Rubach), Marnie Baxter (Dana McIntyre, d.), Tom Baxter (Rose Merrison), Megan Baxter (Robert Lawrence), and Seonagh Kummer (David Kummer); her grandchildren Aaron Baxter, Emma Baxter,  Naomi Baxter, Angelica Iannetti and Skyler McIntyre; her great-grandchildren Theo and Eloise Baxter; and special friends Sarah McKinlay and Jayden. After Richard died, Cynthia enjoyed a late-life love affair with Charles Greene, who predeceased her. She had many “gift family” among her children’s friends. We are so grateful to all the members of her care team, who were able to support her living in her own home for so many years. The staff at Comox Valley Senior’s Village were extraordinary in their care for her, and made her last year and half a very happy one.

A celebration of Cynthia’s life will be held at a later time.