Cynthia Irvine's Obituary
Cyndy Irvine (aka Princess Cyndy, Surely Poppy, Cyndy Lu, Lulu, Glendy, Edna Peplinski, Sister…)—wife, mother, grandmother, and a friend to so very many people in the New Hope community and beyond—left this life on June 13 after a long illness.
She was born on June 12, 1950, and spent her early childhood in Oregon and Washington. Her family later moved to San Antonio, Texas, where she graduated from high school. Four years later she graduated from Texas Tech with a degree in history, a subject she dearly loved and that would eventually become an important part of her adult life.
Cyndy completed a degree in nursing from the University of Texas at Austin. Sometime later, while visiting a friend in Ogdensburg, Wisconsin, Cyndy happened to meet Glenn Coenen. They were married in 1982. (The wedding is still talked about.) Jesse was born in 1983, and Peter was born three years later. The Irvine-Coenen’s never moved away from New Hope, and because of the family’s warmth and genuine love for people, they accumulated a wealth of friends over the years.
Cyndy worked as a registered nurse, but she prioritized spending time with her family at home and away, as well as in her beloved flower and vegetable garden. She could be found on the roads or trails, on foot or skis depending on the season. There were so many Ice Age Trail excursions throughout Wisconsin … so many summer evenings spent at Sunset Lake, especially at Wednesday potlucks. Winter days she could be found with her family and friends on the ski trails at the Iola Winter Sports Club. As Jesse and Peter grew older, everyone’s passion for skiing grew. Attending the Birkie each February became the most important family holiday of the year.
She had a delightful “trickster” side to her. She was the instigator of many practical jokes, as well as of the tradition of “dressup” in the Irvine-Coenen household. In fact, she dedicated an entire room of the house to costumes and accessories, and she was responsible for starting the annual skits at Coenen Cabin reunions.
Cyndy lived her life with an open-door policy, both literally and metaphorically. She was always open to new ideas and activities, and she strived to be inclusive of others. Though there were just four members of her immediate family, there were often others living in the home. Through the years, several foster children were welcomed, as well as five foreign exchange students. Multiple relatives spent weeks to months living with her family in times of need. Also, many of Peter’s and Jesse’s college friends frequented Glenn and Cyndy’s house, becoming true friends themselves, visiting during subsequent years even when Jesse and Peter were not around.
Throughout her life, Cyndy was a constant traveler ... trips to Mexico and road trips to see family in Texas, both before and after kids. There were family trips to visit former exchange students in Europe, tent or van camping in the American West, and gatherings at the Coenen Cabin on Lake Michigan.
More recently, each year she and Glenn made a six-week trip “out West” in Vana White, which she repeatedly pointed out was her favorite region for travel. They also spent much time in Duluth with her sons and their partners, as well as grandson Chase, who brought tremendous joy to Cyndy’s life.
Cyndy was also a prolific writer—of essays, short stories, and magazine articles. The subject of the articles was always some aspect of history, that early love of hers. Some of her more personal writing touched on a specific and very meaningful history: her mother’s childhood experiences as a Japanese POW in the Philippines during World War II.
Cyndy is preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Elizabeth Irvine. She is survived by her lifelong husband and companion, Glenn Coenen; her son Peter, his partner April, and their son Chase; her son Jesse and his partner Kathleen; her brother Dennis Irvine of California, and her sisters Susie Irvine and Debbie Hammack of Texas.
Cyndy made an incredible impact on so many people in her home and her community, and on friends across the world. The warm, bright light that she radiated will be greatly missed.
A celebration of Cyndy’s life –Cyndy’s Garden Party– will be held at the Iola Winter Sports Club on July 11 from 12:00 to 6:00pm.
The family suggests memorials in Cyndy’s honor to the Iola Winter Sports Club or Greenpeace.
What’s your fondest memory of Cynthia?
What’s a lesson you learned from Cynthia?
Share a story where Cynthia's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Cynthia you’ll never forget.
How did Cynthia make you smile?