Cynthia O'Beirne

It is with the heaviest of hearts and a deep sadness that we announce Cynthia Mary O'Beirne (nee Cavell) peaceful passing in her 90th year at Sunrise of Oakville on Tuesday April 19, 2016. Survived by her four loving daughters Maeve (Peter), Breda Nicolas (Julien), Maura Dales (Rob) and Nuala, 8 adoring grandchildren Tessa, Benen, and Raner, Eric and Natalie Nicolas and Marc, Jaden and Tyler Dales, and many nieces and nephews, Cynthia was blessed with a long and full life full of adventure and enjoyment. Her free spirit and charismatic personality will be missed by all who had the pleasure of her company. Born in Toronto on August 27 1926, Cynthia spent her life embracing everything that the city had to offer. Her life journey started in Toronto with her parents Hartley William Cavell, a Toronto lawyer and Florence Rubina (nee Cordingley) and her sister Helen (Kennedy) and brother David. After attending North Toronto Collegiate Cynthia obtained a BA in Psychology from Victoria College at the University of Toronto. A Masters of Nursing from Yale University followed with a memorable two years at the Middlesex Hospital in England and the American hospital in Paris jumpstarting her long and celebrated nursing career. After returning to Toronto, Cynthia taught nursing at UofT and the Toronto Western Hospital. At that time she met her husband Henry O'Beirne, a young British Ontario Hydro engineer at the UofT film club and their romance flourished. Henry and Cynthia were married on June 8 1957. After raising their family with Henry, now a UofT Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Cynthia returned to nursing in 1974 as an instructor at George Brown College. After a year sabbatical in Leeds England, in 1979 Cynthia joined the Ontario government's MCSS as a Case Coordinator with Surrey Place Centre and then in later years she specialized as a geriatric nurse. After retiring in the late 1990s, Cynthia moved to the Toronto Ward's Island, fulfilling a lifetime dream. Cynthia's advancing dementia meant moves to Calgary and Oakville to be near her daughters in her last years.
Cynthia's many friends and interests fueled her vast positive energy. Friends were gathered when traveling, sailing, collecting buttons and historical books, searching her family tree and volunteering with Community Living Toronto, UoT Academy for Life Long Learning, Seniors for Seniors, Sunshine Centre for Seniors and Canadian Sleep Society. Enjoying life without a television, cell phone or computer by choice, Cynthia lived with purpose and relaxed with good friends, good food, good conversation, chocolate and a glass of red wine. She was an engaging story teller and very proud of her family.
The world is a better place for having Cynthia Mary O’Beirne in it. We cherish her memory. Cynthia’s funeral and internment will be held at Mount Pleasant Cemetery on Saturday May 21, 2016 at 3:00pm. Please gather at the Cemetery Office at 2:30. Memorial donations may be made to the Salvation Army Broadview Village.