Cindy Nash
Obituaries
Vail Daily page 3 - December 15, 1996
A brisk autumn breeze blew across the 4-Eagle Ranch. Cindy Nash beamed as she watched daughter Montana, 2, play with friends among the ranch artifacts and pumpkin patch.
Cindy, looking radiant and stylish, shivered as she pulled her jacket tightly around her and clutched a hot drink to keep warm. What appeared to be a typical family day with husband Curt, Montana and several close friends that late October afternoon, began on a devastating note.
A call from her physician, Dr. Kent Petrie, confirmed that the insidious esophageal cancer Cindy had been battling through surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and holistic methods since she was diagnosed nearly a year ago, had now spread.
With her usual strength and determination, Cindy embraced the day.
"That was the last great day we spent as a family outdoors," Curt said. "She really enjoyed that day. Cindy was always happiest when she was with her family and friends."
Cindy Nash died Friday, Dec. 13 at her Edwards home. She was 40. Cindy considered Friday the 13th her good luck day since she and Curt were married five years ago in Montana, Friday, Sept. 13.
Many friends remember Cindy for her inner strength and gentle manner.
Dee Provost, a close friend, remembers a camping trip to Moab in May.
Cindy was such a trooper and an inspiration," Provost said. "She stayed with us while we hiked even though the trip was shortly after her surgery. It was so wonderful to have that experience with her."
An extraordinary teacher, Cindy's lessons spanned from teaching aerobics to teaching toddlers. In the final weeks of her life, she taught her family and friends about bravery, strength and spirituality.
"Cindy is a beautiful and deeply honest person," said Dennie Moore, a close friend. "She has always been a true teacher, both professionally and personally. Every conversation I have ever had with Cindy has been calming, interesting and directly from the heart. Cindy has always felt she was very lucky in love and in life. I don't believe that a day would go by in her life, where she wouldn't openly appreciate something or somebody.
"I appreciate all I have learned from her over the years, as a teacher and a friend...but the greatest gift of all has been about bravery and peacefulness and how you can put them together."
On Monday, Mountain Hospice, an organization that has supplied volunteer assistance for several weeks in the Nash household, sponsored its annual Tree of Lights. Although bedridden, Cindy called with a list of names to be read and remembered during that touching event.
"Cindy didn't always accept what the doctors told her," Curt said. "She had the courage to look under the rock to find alternative methods to treat this. She was open minded about it, and even as she became weaker and weaker, never wanted to give up hope."
Cindy's perseverance was a quality Robin Henzler admired.
Robin and Cindy shared an unusual bond--their children were born on the same day two years ago at the Vail Valley Medical Center.
"While we were both pregnant, we talked about how fun it would be to have our kids born on the same day, and it actually happened." said Henzler.
About five years ago the two friends were on a hut trip together.
"I remember Cindy had raw hamburger heels, but being the trooper she was, she had a great time despite her painful feet. That introduced me to Cindy's perseverance in everything she does.
"I will always remember her gift of affection and love for her daughter," Henzler added. "I felt honored that she shared those same emotions with my son Forrest as they spent a day a week together when she babysat. Cindy shared her gift of love with so many, but those who benefitted so much were the little ones she's touched."
Cindy was born Feb. 26, 1956 in Columbus, Ohio. She graduated from Central High School in 1974 and earned a bachelor's degree in early childhood education from Ohio State University.
Curt and Cindy met in Vail and the two were housemates for a number of years before a romance blossomed. During that time Cindy taught aerobics at the Vail Athletic Club and waited tables at Sweet Basil. She was the fitness director at the Vail Racquet Club, but retired to full-time motherhood after Montana's birth.
She is survived by her mother Doris Hashman, a sister Dorie Watson and her husband Russell, brother Dennie Buckholtz and his wife Kathy from Ohio, a brother Doug Bartow and his wife Debbie from South Carolina, and many neices and nephews.
Her ashes will be scattered on a favorite hiking trail next summer while the wildflowers are at their peak.
Holt-Farnum Mortuary in Glenwood Springs is in charge of arrangements.
Cindy and Curt wish to express special thanks to all the support they've received throughout her battle with cancer. Special thanks to Martha and Jim Henderson for opening their house in Denver to the Nashes while Cindy was undergoing treatment, to the nurses and Dr. Kent Petrie for their caring treatment and to the volunteers with Mountain Hospice for their invaluable assistance.
A memorial service has been tentatively set for 5 p.m. Tuesday at the Vail Interfaith Chapel. A potluck reception will follow at the Cascade Club Hotel in Vail.
In lieu of flowers, the Nash family request that memorial donations be made to the Vail Valley Charitable Fund, Box 6134, Vail, Colo. 81658.
Vail Daily - December 17, 1996
The memorial service Cindy Nash, who died Friday at her Edwards home after a year-long battle with cancer is set for 5 p.m. today at the Vail Interfaith Chapel. Rev. Charis Caldwell will officiate. A pot-luck reception will follow at the Cascade Hotel (formerly the Westin) in Vail.
In lieu of flowers the family of Cindy Nash asks that memorial contributions be made to the Vail Valley Charitable Fund at Box 6134, Vail, Colo. 81658.
