Cynthia Sue Gribble

Cynthia Sue Gribble (Sturm), born April 23, 1952, went to meet her Lord and Savior on October 30, 2023 at the age of 71. Cynthia, or Cyndee, leaves behind her husband, Duane David Gribble, three children and their spouses, Brandi Mathers (Robert), Christiaan Gribble (Suzanna), and Lauren Kunkel (Caleb), six grandchildren, and one brother (Mark Sturm). She joins her father, Charles Lee Sturm, mother, Margaret Sturm, and two brothers, Charles Lee Sturm II and Ivan Sturm, in heaven.

To say that Cyndee lived a full life would be an understatement. After graduating from Fairless High School in 1970, she married Duane on July 3, 1971, and they purchased a dilapidated Victorian mansion to renovate. This started Cyndee’s life-long love of antiques and interior design, which was evident in each of the houses she turned into homes during her life.

Cyndee would be the first to tell you that her primary vocation was that of spouse, mother, and homemaker for Duane and her three children. She and Duane made many sacrifices so that she could stay at home full time, even home educating their youngest daughter. Once their children grew older, Cyndee devoted more time to her parents, serving as caretaker to her mother, Margaret, during the final years of Margaret’s life. Cyndee also adored her long-anticipated grandchildren and never hesitated to say “yes” to their every request, playing in the sandbox, getting out the Play-Dough, and reading one more story.

Although Cyndee’s first calling was her family, she was truly a Jack of all trades because Cyndee also owned and operated an ice cream stand, worked at a radio station, ran the primitives gift shop, New Berlin Exchange, she started with Duane, managed their engraving business, Schmidt’s Engraving, got her real estate license, sold furniture at Levin’s, and did many other jobs in and out of the home.

Cyndee’s creativity didn’t stop in her home or with her work. Cyndee was an avid communicator and thespian, taking part in productions at Kent University and theatrical venues downtown and running the drama ministry at her church for a time. Cyndee was a gracious host, creating traditions that made holidays absolutely magical for her children (and then grandchildren) and even going so far as to deck out the house with swords, shields, and a full suit of armor for a medieval Valentine’s Day party. Cyndee also enjoyed flower arranging, travel, and sewing and had a classy and unique fashion sense, which included a love of hats and scarves.

Cyndee’s first love, however, was Jesus Christ, and his love filled her heart and spilled over on to everyone she met. Cyndee was quick to flash her beautiful smile, laugh, and offer an encouraging word. As much as she loved to talk, Cyndee was an even better listener and provided a compassionate ear and wise advice not only to her children and spouse, but also to siblings, nieces and nephews, friends, co-workers, neighbors, college students she met at Kent, servers at restaurants where she was a “regular,” and anyone she encountered who was going through a difficult time.

Cyndee was able to demonstrate love and compassion towards others because she relied on Christ and remained steadfast in her faith through a variety of challenges over the course of her life, including nearly becoming blind as a child, experiencing congestive heart failure, and, most recently, suffering a cardiac arrest and anoxic brain injury. This event left Cyndee physically weak and largely disoriented to time and place, but she continued to recognize and enjoy the presence of loved ones, even two new grandchildren. Over the course of the last six and a half years, Cyndee resided in various facilities from Canton to Cleveland and back again, but, wherever she went, she won over the hearts of caretakers with her sunny smile, big blue eyes, and bubbly personality, who were also quick to notice the love and devotion between Cyndee and Duane, who visited her nearly every day.

Cyndee’s family finds peace in thinking of her whole and strong in the presence of our Lord and look forward to being reunited with her. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Cyndee’s honor to the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation (https://www.sca-aware.org/donate) or Samaritan’s Purse (https://www.samaritanspurse.org).

Please join family and friends in celebrating Cyndee’s life on Saturday, November 18th at 1:00 pm at the chapel at Canton Christian Home, 2550 Cleveland Ave. NW, Canton, Ohio 44709. Calling hours to follow beginning at 2:00 pm.

If you would like to extend your condolences to her husband, Duane Gribble, please direct correspondence to his attention at Canton Christian Home, 2550 Cleveland Ave. NW, Apt. # 167, Canton, Ohio 44709.