Cynthia T. Pritchard

With deep sadness, the family of Cynthia Tabeau Pritchard announces her passing on May 15, 2024, surrounded by her husband and daughters. 

Cindy was born on May 6, 1959 to Donald and Dolores Tabeau in Burbank, California.  Her childhood was filled with happy memories of dinners at the Royal Salute, picnics and pony rides at Griffith Park, and trips to Malibu Beach, Big Bear Park, Palm Springs, and Disneyland. 

After moving to North Carolina with her family, and while at Northeastern High School, she met her soulmate of 49 years, Lee. They shared many formative milestones together, such as attending their first concert, the Doobie Brothers, and proms. An incredibly bright and diligent student, Cindy graduated from UNC Chapel Hill alongside Lee in 1981, and she later obtained an MBA from UT Austin. 

On December 5, 1982,  Cindy and Lee were married in Framingham, Massachusetts and went on to have two daughters. Despite a budding career as a buyer for Zayer, then a consultant for Arthur Andersen, and later, a business professor at Champlain College, Cindy sacrificed her own dreams and ambitions, selflessly choosing to champion those of her family. 

She was a loving and devoted wife and mother, who made her family’s life magical. Every year, she baked themed birthday cakes with matching birthday parties, and every day, she made her family gourmet meals. She painted murals in the family home and transformed plywood dollhouses into wired, wall-papered, tiled, and extravagantly decorated dream homes. She took her daughters on mommy-daughter dates to Massabesic Lake, Ogunquit Beach, and Mount Kearsarge. Her passion for the arts was infectious, and she cultivated that in her children through piano, violin, and ballet lessons and crafting. She regularly tutored her daughters and developed their enthusiasm for reading with Nancy Drew, Victoria Holt, and Agatha Christie mysteries. 

Cindy delighted in holidays with her family. During Christmas, her house became Santa’s workshop with endless wrapping, Christmas cookies from scratch, and decorations that rivaled Martha Stewart. She continued and expanded holiday family traditions, including homemade gnocchi and pizzas, holiday crackers, Easter egg hunts, and games. 

Over the years, Cindy sponsored underprivileged children in the U.S. and abroad, seeing them through to their high school graduations.  Cindy’s love for others extended to pets, Lancelot and Coco, and all animals.  Every three days in the summer, Cindy made fresh batches of sugar water for Hummingbirds, and in the winters, she would trek into the backyard to feed Bluebirds, Cardinals, and Woodpeckers.

In 2009, Cindy was diagnosed with Stage IV Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and was given a maximum life expectancy of seven years. In her Taurus way, she rejected that prognosis. With the assistance of EuroMed Foundation, and through her strength and sheer determination, Cindy gave her family the incredible gift of borrowed time for another 14 years. During those years, Cindy sacrificed once again by adhering to a strict diet and continuing with ongoing treatment. She planned once-in-a-lifetime family vacations and excursions to concerts and Broadway shows. She ensured that her family always had a gathering to look forward to and that everyone was present and grateful for the time together.  Cindy also returned to her love for the arts and began painting. Cindy’s work appeared in several juried exhibits and won many merit awards.  She gifted her family and people across the country with beautiful creations inspired by her dreams and travels. 

Cindy always put others before herself, even in her greatest times of need. Despite years of physical pain, Cindy never complained. Instead, she continued to be enchanting, radiant, and the source of love and joy for her family.     

Cindy is survived by her husband of 41 years, Lee, and her daughters, Jessica and Lauren. Other family members include sons-in-law Peter Njuguna and Jason Curry, sister Michelle Miles (Forrest Miles), nephew Stephen Miles, mother-in-law Dorothy Pritchard, and many other inlaws, nieces, and nephews.

SERVICES: There are no calling hours. A Memorial Service will be held Wednesday, May 29, 2024,  11:00 a.m. at Saint Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church, 190 Meetinghouse Rd., Bedford, NH. In keeping with Cindy’s dazzling personality, her family will wear color and encourages attendees to do the same. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Cindy’s memory to either Ayla Grace Slivka’s Tribute Fundraiser: https://p2p.thecurestartsnow.org/488; or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Phaneuf Funeral Homes and Crematorium assisted the family with arrangements. To view an online memorial, leave a message of condolence, or for more information please go to https://phaneuf.net/