June 12, 1944 - Dec. 24, 2016
Cynthia was born at Abertillery, S.Wales, the youngest child of Hector and Violet Duggan. She attended schools in Wales before training as a teacher at St. Matthias college in Bristol, England. Cynthia married Martin Davies on 3 Jan 1966, in Abertillery; childhood sweethearts, they’d known each other from age 11. The couple taught for two years in Camberley, Surrey England before they emigrated from Britain to Canada, arriving in the Comox Valley in August 1967. Cynthia began her Canadian teaching career at Puntledge Park Elementary school in Courtenay. She enjoyed a long career in S.D. 71 as a primary and intermediate teacher and completed her M.Ed degree at UVIC. The latter half of her career was spent as an elementary school counsellor, sharing her time between different schools. She retired from teaching in 1999.
She attended church at St. John the Divine, Courtenay, St. Peter’s Church in Comox, and ended up helping to lead church services at Berwick Retirement Community in Comox. Cynthia was a faithful Christian. As a teen, she would often call in to her local Anglican Church in Wales on her way to school to say prayers. It was this faith in her Lord Jesus Christ which provided her with peace and strength throughout her life and at its closing. Another group which Cynthia loved attending was her weekly bible study group. They met to study God’s word, to support each other and to love each other and those with whom they came in contact. Honouring Jesus in any way, was always a prime objective for Cynthia.
Apart from her teaching career, Cynthia was hugely involved in the Comox Valley community. Cynthia was a member of the board of directors at St. Joseph’s hospital, where she also chaired two committees and served for many years. She served on the board of directors of the Filberg Lodge. She loved the grounds and lodge and did what she could on the board to help the operation of the Lodge and park succeed and run smoothly. Cynthia was involved in committees which worked to bring refugees to the valley and helped them settle here. She helped in the settlement of a family from Vietnam, another family from Serbia/Croatia and at the time of her death was part of a group sponsoring a newcomer from North Africa. One year, Cynthia was chosen as the Citizen of the Year for the Comox Valley. She loved our community greatly and constantly gave of herself in serving it. An avid reader, she belonged to different book clubs over the years, enjoying both the books and the company of friends. Cynthia maintained close contact with many ex-teacher friends. Each week she and the group met for a simple lunch but mostly to spend time with her friends and continue to build their relationships.
Cynthia was pre-deceased by parents Hector and Violet Duggan. Cynthia is survived by her brother Leigh, sister Janet (Alex), nieces Emma and Claire, nephews Gavin and Tyler, husband Martin, sons Ben and Tim, daughters-in-law Josée and Andi, beloved grand-children Charlotte and Oliver and Aunt Jean Hussey.
Our family will always remember Cynthia with great love. She was an amazing wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and daughter. She was the rock of our family. She held us together in times of trial and stress. Her faith in the Lord was unwavering. We miss her so much, but we also know that she is at peace with her loving heavenly father. Rest in peace, Cynthia. In Cynthia’s honour, a memorial/celebration of life service will be held at Mark Isfeld Secondary School on Sunday, February 5th at 2:00pm. In lieu of flowers, donations to the
B.C. Transplant Society would be welcomed.