March 15, 2006
Remembering Cyndee "Aleia" Fena
January 18, 1953 - March 3, 2006
Click here for a special memorial in PDF format.
"Cyndee was one of those persons who seemed to be everywhere doing everything and anything she could to help others live healthier and more productive lives with diabetes. If was her selfless attitude and infectious enthusiasm that seemed to permeate everywhere she went..."
- Steven Edelman M.D., Professor of Medicine, UCSD, Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
"Cyndee was the "encourager" of all those in despair looking for a diabetes support group and led them in the North County. She was one of the catalysts in North County, sparking the Fallbrook school systems' interest in preventing diabetes in school age children. I will miss Cyndee because she didn't just talk, or walk, or skip with the message that "we have a responsibility to take good care of ourselves," she danced, sang and ran with that torch, and will forever do so in my mind and heart..."
-Diane M. Pearson RN CDE MPH,
Current President of San Diego Assn. of Diabetes Educators
"She was more than a dance teacher. She was a friend who cared. She was a kind, compassionate and spiritual person who was always giving of herself..."
-Sharon McDaniel
"Cyndee epitomized the phrase "full of life." I don't know where she got it, and how she kept it going, but I was thankful when some of it would rub off on me. She set a wonderful example of self-care and self-respect. She made me feel valuable as a diabetes educator and good about myself. I know that she will be missed terribly by all whose lives she touched..."
Janine Greeno-Loescher
"Cyndee was devoted, energetic and motivated and will be greatly missed..."
-Dr. Chris Taft
"Daffodils are blooming in my yard now, and I will always associate those sunny blooms with Cyndee as she had one of the sunniest attitudes I have had the pleasure to experience..."
-Judith Downie, Humanities Librarian, Cal State University, San Marcos
"Cyndee could be described as loving, thoughtful, full of energy and always, always willing to stop and help someone. She personified the creed of leaving the world a little better than you found it. She did touch and improve the lives of many people..."
-Ed Mc Carthy
"I came to know and respect Cyndee as a woman of deep commitment to overcoming and preventing a devastating disease, of loyalty to her pursuits and colleagues; all this plus a love of the dance and of life. I have been blessed to have known her and honored to have shared her space in time. In the spirit of her knowledge, her joy and her humor, I say to her: You go girl! In your honor, in your name, we shall carry on..."
-Vi Dupre, Administrator, Fallbrook Healthcare District
"Cyndee or "Aleia" as the belly dance community knows her will be dearly missed. She was a positive light. She was a role model for all of us. Cyndee's life wasn't always easy but despite difficulties, she always had a smile and positive word to say..."
-Dondi Dahlin
"Cyndee was always full of energy and will forever remain an inspiration to all who care about their community in general, and diabetes in particular. I consider myself lucky to have known her. She will be sorely missed, but never, ever, forgotten."
-Ron Newfield, M.D., Pediatric Endocrinology, Children's Hospital, San Diego
"Cyndee's diligence enabled some of our school children to attend diabetes camp in the summer, which has made a huge difference in their lives and self esteem. She worked tirelessly to further our cause on prevention in the school community. I will truly miss her, but it does bring home what we are doing is right! We, as a community, need to take care of our citizens by educating and being a role model in preventable diseases, such as Type 2 diabetes and obesity..."
- Clare Stewart RN, MSN, FUESD District Nurse, CATCH member
"Cyndee was a volunteer for the Baja Animal Sanctuary. She was greatly appreciated in our community and will be missed..."
-Debbie Wright
"Let's not let her sudden passing be in vain. Many will not have the years of life Cyndee had unless they are educated about diabetes. I am with you in spirit in redoubling our efforts against diabetes, in any form..."
-Elsie Chan
"Cyndee was extremely generous and eager to share whatever useful information she came across. Her optimism and love of life - and of dance - was contagious. I join in everybody's regreat and sadness for having lost her..."
-Claudia Chaufan, UC Santa Cruz
"I knew Cyndee for several years and had the privilege of belly dancing with her, both as her student and at occasional performances. Her great joy was in helping other women realize their femininity and essential beauty, and she gave this gift to all of her many students..."
-Patty Campbell
"We had the love of dance in common and I always enjoyed her performances. I will miss her and whenever I hear her special kind of music, I will think of her..."
-Stella Ramos, CSUSM
"Thank God for people like Cyndee. Even when she was working so hard on her Master's degree, she still found time to be involved in our support group that she had begun in 1995 in her home..."
-Faye Roberson
"I am so glad to have had the opportunity to know her as my dear friend. I miss her dearly and I know I am not alone. She was so full of life and she lived it to the fullest despite her diabetes and leukemia. Most healthy people didn't do as much as she did. We all miss her, but let's celebrate her life and cherish what she brought to yours and others..."
- Yolette Cochrane
"Cyndee boosted others morale when she herself was challenged. I am grateful to have known her and will be among the very many that will miss her..."
-Al Lee
"Our community has lost a beacon of hope and a true crusader for better health with the premature passing of Cyndee Fena. She was dedicated to these efforts for the benefit of her fellow man, not for financial gain or personal glory. She was an inspiration for those of us who often feel overwhelmed by the growing epidemic of "lifestyle" illnesses. We should consider ourselves blessed to have had Cyndee Fena while we did..."
-Frank Winton, M.D., Family and Sports Medicine, Graybill Medical Group, Fallbrook
"She taught me determination, self love and respect, perseverance, the excitement of discovery, how to set boundaries and so much more..."
-Wendy Pickett
"Cyndee was one of those people who kept on going no matter what the odds were against her, she was going to get there no matter what was in her way. I feel in my heart and with God at my side, Cyndee will be with me so I can lead my days with having diabetes with a lightened heart and confidence to meet each day as it comes along..."
-Simone Benham
"Cyndee was an extraordinary woman who gave of herself completely. Her life was short but anyone who knew her knew she lived a full life. Cyndee has been nominated for the Dean's graduate student award at CSUSM and she will be honored at her graduation ceremony in May 2006..."
-Alicia Gonzales, CSUSM
"Cyndee was a person of extraordinary strength and generosity of spirit, who transcended her struggles with chronic diabetes to support and serve the fight against this disease. Her expertise, commitment, and altruism will be sorely missed..."
-Dr. Bob Roberts, Chair of the Department of Sociology at CSUSM
"I knew Cyndee through the Ballroom Dance community. I thought of Cyndee as our group's "cheerleader," who always wanted everyone to be happy and who gave so much of herself to all of us. This was in spite of the fact that her own life wasn't always happy or "easy."
-Art Lashbrook
"Cyndee was instrumental in helping us get the glucose testing done at our school in conjunction with the 5th grade BMI testing for pre-disposed conditions for Type II diabetes. She was such a wonderful person dedicating her life to making parents and community members aware of the risks of diabetes. Her weekly articles were wonderful. We have lost a model citizen and hero..."
- Cathy Kerley, Principal, La Paloma School
"Cyndee possessed a passion, strength, drive, capacity to give, and vision that is rare. Cyndee was and will continue to be an inspiration to me and I will carry her spirit into my work. I will miss her deeply..."
- Jessica Bernstein
Your Echoing Dance Steps
I bought myself orange sunflowers
the day I heard you died
the kind that I am ferociously
allergic to
the color of the sunset
the color of the smile
you would have over
my reckless purchase
the color of your aura
brilliant and full of fire
dancing through life
never giving into the exhaustion
it was just the body, you'd say
and someday-
there would be time for eternal rest
but not now
not when the music was still playing
there was too much to do
always so much to do
and your feet refused to be still
dancing through life
as you danced briefly through mine
inspiring me to never
throw in the towel
to go the distance
to dance and dance and dance and dance
twirling beautifully,
freely
until the music
came to a halting
and unexpected
stop.
To Cindy Fena - Thanks for the music.
- Sherrie Gonzales-Kolb
She brought much happiness to this world!
- Angie Rice
Health Care Technician
La Paloma School
Cyndee was a very forward looking person. I was always amazed at the amount
of energy she had, and the number of things she was involved in. From what
I saw of the dance leadership and diabetes volunteer work, it sounds like
she made a lot of people's lives better.
- Bob Fisher
I was one of many individuals on Cyndee's List Serve, which educated and enlightened me and no doubt others on topics ranging from diabetes, childhood obesity, childhood asthma, health awareness, disease prevention, exercise, and nutrition. And living life fully. Her passion for sharing the latest research and her own expertise was boundless... Over the years, Cyndee was kind enough to call me one of her mentors. Well, I'm not sure I deserved that honor. I do know it was my privilege to have known her as an exceptional student, and more importantly as a remarkable person. She taught me a lot, and for that I am grateful.
- Luis Terrazas, MSSW, Ph.D.
Lecturer, Human Development Program
CSUSM
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