Cynthia Anne Elder

Cynthia Anne Mills Elder passed away peacefully on Friday, May 12, 2023, after a very brief battle with lung cancer.

Cindy was born in Lynchburg, VA and moved to Maryland soon after. She attended Perry High School in Rockville and graduated in 1973. Cindy started college at the University of Maryland in 1974. In her freshman year she met the love of her life, Burt, and their great adventure together began. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in 1977 and married Burt that summer on July 30th. Cindy was wild, carefree, and always down for a good time. Together, Burt & Cindy began their family in 1979. Cindy stayed at home with their three children when they were young and will be remembered fondly by them for being the queen of making something out of nothing, her delicious meals – especially soups and coleslaw, making Halloween costumes and clothes, funny punishments: “hug yourself,” sunbathing on her raft, finding the best Christmas tree, and hosting EPIC parties. Cindy spent most of her time building her dream life with her devoted husband of 46 years, their children, and extended family and friends. She loved cats, puzzles, strategy board games, playing spades, fishing, tubing, gardening, bird watching (especially hummingbirds), annual BEACH trips, and traveling. “Make my station a halfy.”

In 1993, Cindy began her formal career as a research scientist at SAIC and later supported the National Cancer Institute (NCI) where she studied and researched cancer genes. In 2021, Cindy retired to her 24-acre farm in Sharpsburg, MD.

She is survived by her mother, Patricia and three brothers: Andy (husband, Mike), Len (wife, Cathy), and Danny (wife, Deborah).  Her husband Burt, their three children Jesse (his wife, Genevieve), Edward (his fiancé, Allison), and Natalie (her husband, Brian), eight grandchildren Franklin, Elizabeth, Shannon, Matthew, Sawyer, Samantha, Liam, and Raelyn, and one great-grandchild, Scarlett. Although Cindy only walked this earth for 68 years, she touched many hearts and lives. She leaves behind many friends and family who will love and miss her dearly.

A Memorial Service will be held at Rest Haven Funeral Home, 1601 Pennsylvania Ave, Hagerstown, MD 21742 on Saturday May 20^th at 10:00 am.

Following the service there will be a Celebration of Life Open House at noon at Burt & Cindy’s home in Sharpsburg, 3836 Mills Rd., Sharpsburg, MD 21782. If using the GPS, it’s best to put in Burnside Church of God on Mills Rd.

We invite attendees to wear bright colors, florals, etc. to the funeral/Open House to celebrate Cindy.