Cynthia L Luster

Cynthia "Cyndie" Luster (nee McKnight), age 70, of Vermilion,  took her last beautiful breath on what will now become known as the worst day ever for many people-Tuesday, October 29, 2024, at Mercy New Life Hospice.  She left this world peacefully, surrounded by her husband of 46 years, her 3 sons (their wives, and one beloved Jen) that loved her more than anything, her sister, and her cherished cousin (and second mom to her boys). She heroically battled Cancer for 4 years and finally took pity on it, deciding to be the bigger person and walk away, sparing Cancer further humiliation. Because, that is the type of person she was, always unselfishly putting other people first.

Born on December 2 , 1953, in Bay Village, Ohio, Cyndie spent the last 44 years in Vermilion, having moved there from Lorain. Known for her enormous heart, loving nature, and endearing sense of humor, Cyndie dedicated 23 years as a Medical Billing Specialist before retiring in 2014. She also served a tour as a lunch lady, secretly providing extra fries and big helpings of "I love yous" to her sons when they came through her line. Having served her tour with distinction and grace, she was awarded the Parental Medal of Honor.

A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, Cyndie delighted in garage saleing , decorating for Christmas , cooking (her chicken paprikash was the BOMB with homemade big a** dumplings ), impulsively buying things off of QVC, falling off the occasional cliff (true story), crafts , driving riding lawn mowers into ponds (also true),  and most of all- spending time with her grandchildren. They were incredibly dear to her, and she had a special, unique bond with each of them.  She enjoyed baking birthday cakes for her sons every year, even into their 40's. Her sons looked forward to it every birthday, although they didn't need to really be eating that much cake at all at their ages. But eat cake they did, enjoying every love-filled bite.

She leaves behind a bunch of people that are devastated at her leaving but better in countless ways because of her. Including: her beloved husband of 46 years, Stephen E. Luster of Vermilion; her children, Stephen (Danielle) Luster of Wheelersburg, Brian (Danielle) Szabo of Amherst, Michael (Codie) Szabo of Vermilion, Shawn (Jen Martinez) Luster of Lorain, Tonya (Lee) Floyd of Wheelersburg, Ohio, a flock of cherished grandchildren, and a gaggle of great-grandchildren (dozens at this point, the final count of which is still being calculated and debated), her brother, Ricky McKnight of Lorain,  her sisters, Darlene Younkin of Vermilion, Connie Fox of Oberlin, and Teri George of Amherst. Also missing her will be Pugsly, her loving pug that never left her side once a bed sadly became her new permanent residence.

Cyndie never once lamented her illness. She made the most of the time she had left with no regrets. She laughed, danced, traveled, occasionally drank like a sailor, and sometimes enough to curse like one. But through it all, she never felt sorry for herself, despite what loomed on the horizon. She adopted the mantra "amor fati" - the love of one's fate, good or bad. She not only lived it, she had it tattooed on her arm with her boys who also got matching tattoos, as a permanent reminder to live while you can, love every minute no matter what life throws at you, and leave the earth with a smile on your face.

Cyndie was preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Elizabeth (nee Troskey) McKnight, her brother James Morgan, her brother Russel McKnight, her sister June Gregg, the beloved family dog Bosco, Pugsly's pal Chelsea the Pug, and a few cats here and there. She missed them terribly every day they were gone. She looked forward to seeing them again and at times woke up angry because she woke up at all and her mom would have to wait a bit longer.

Friends and family are invited to gather on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. until the time of her memorial service at 6:00 p.m. at Riddle Funeral Home, 5345 South Street, Vermilion, Ohio. A private inurnment will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery, Vermilion. Please bring a smile, a joke, or fond memory as she gave clear instructions that she did not want "a bunch of sad people moping around". Shed tears because she is gone but smile because she was HERE.

In honor of Cyndie’s memory, contributions may be made to Mercy New Life Hospice,  planting a tree, making someone smile or laugh, or loving the people around you.

Online condolences may be made at www.riddlefuneralhome@gmail.com.