CYNTHIA MITCHELL

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CYNTHIA MITCHELL

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved Cynthia, who died peacefully on Saturday, March 7, at the age of 45 after five years living with a rare form of cancer. Though her life was far too short, it was a beautiful tapestry woven together with love, laughter, determination, and an unwavering spirit that touched everyone she met.

Cynthia was the cherished daughter of Joe and Kathy Nowell, who taught her the true essence of partnership, parenting, and unconditional love. Her sister Pam was not just family; she was Cynthia’s steadfast ally, always by her side, recognizing and celebrating Cynthia’s unique gifts. Together they shared countless memories filled with laughter and support, reflecting the deep bond of sisterhood. Cynthia loved to laugh and had a special gift for making others laugh with her quick wit and humour. Many people often say that Cynthia and Pam shared the same laugh, so if you ever hear Pam’s laugh and it reminds you of Cynthia, we hope it brings a smile and a bit of Cynthia’s spirit back to you.

Cynthia’s warmth extended deeply to Pam’s family as well. She delighted in welcoming Pam’s husband Jakob and their boys Leo and Charlie into her home, where time together was filled with laughter, swimming in the pool, and the playful humour that made Auntie Cynthia so special. She had a wonderful way of making everyday moments feel fun and memorable, and Leo and Charlie will always carry those joyful memories of time spent with their aunt.

Cynthia was known for her warm smile and open heart, welcoming everyone into her home with open arms. She had a remarkable ability to brighten a room and lift spirits, whether through a thoughtful gesture or simply inviting someone for a walk. Her kindness was a beacon of light in the lives of those around her.

As a teacher, Cynthia poured her heart into her students, forming lasting bonds and inspiring them in countless ways. She also built friendships with her colleagues that extended beyond the classroom, creating a nurturing and supportive environment for everyone around her.

Cynthia and her husband Drew’s love story was one for the ages. Drew was Cynthia’s soulmate and partner in every adventure. Cynthia often shared with family and friends how she truly found the best version of herself through their love. Together they created a beautiful family, raising two beloved children, Wynn and Sid, who were the center of her universe. Cynthia made the courageous decision to step back from her career as a teacher to dedicate herself to raising Wynn and Sid and cherished every moment they spent together. Their family adventures, whether at Clear Lake, in Mexico, exploring Europe, or embarking on road trips across North America, were filled with memories that will last a lifetime. Yet amidst these grand adventures, what Cynthia valued most were the simple moments together: days at the park, sleepover nights, pizza Fridays, and cuddling up with a good book. Cynthia reminded all of us that big love happens in small moments.

Cynthia also embraced Drew’s family with the same warmth and love. Bonnie and Tom were always ready to lend a hand and often cared for their cherished pets Ruby, Tim, and Mittens. Over the years there were many trips to Brandon to visit Nana and Poppa, and time together with Drew’s sister Jen, her husband Ed, and their boys Brody and Rhett created many family memories.

Cynthia’s legacy extends far beyond her family. She was a trailblazer with the Canadian Cholangiocarcinoma Collaborative (C3), a national patient-focused partnership working to improve care, advance research, and build hope for those affected by bile duct cancer. Cynthia worked tirelessly to ensure that she and others could access treatment, support, and connection, and helped people facing this disease cultivate hope as they navigated their own journeys. Since Cynthia’s passing, the depth of her impact has become even clearer to our family, as members of the cholangiocarcinoma community from around the world continue to reach out and share how Cynthia helped them build both hope and community.

Hope was deeply important to Cynthia, and she often spoke about what she called “rebellious hope,” a philosophy that guided how she lived with the disease. She described rebellious hope as the deliberate choice to cultivate hope in the face of profound uncertainty, suffering, and obstacles. For her, this hope was an active refusal to give in to despair and a commitment to seeking possibilities for treatment, meaning, and connection even when outcomes were uncertain. A small sign bearing the words Rebellious Hope hung in her hospital room beside photos of her family, serving as a quiet but powerful reminder that her hope was not about denying reality, but about choosing to live fully, through all circumstances, with love and courage. In living this philosophy so fully, Cynthia inspired many around her and taught us all something profound about life and how to live it.

A beautiful tradition emerged during Cynthia’s life. She had a knack for finding heart-shaped objects in the world around her, small reminders that love is always present. Over time, friends and family began sending her photos of hearts they had found, creating a network of love that surrounded her. Cynthia cherished these tokens and hoped that whenever you see a heart, you will think of her and feel the love she has for all of you. She would love for you to continue sharing these found hearts with her family, wrapping Drew, Wynn, and Sid in your love and support as they navigate this journey without her.

Another meaningful tradition grew from Cynthia’s work to raise awareness for cholangiocarcinoma. She was instrumental in organizing the annual lighting of the Esplanade Riel bridge at The Forks in Winnipeg, #LightItGreen, which shines green each February 19 in recognition of World Cholangiocarcinoma Day. While Cynthia was unable to attend this year, her hospital room in the palliative ward looked out over the bridge. On the evening of the lighting, family and friends gathered at the bridge, and Cynthia and her sister Pam were able to watch the bridge illuminate together from her room. In true Cynthia fashion, she had already rallied the nurses and staff on the ward to watch and celebrate with her, a reflection of her remarkable ability to bring people together, even in the most difficult moments.

Our family would like to express our deepest gratitude to the many friends, family members, and members of Cynthia’s community who surrounded her with such warmth, care, and love throughout her illness, and especially in her final weeks. So many people stepped forward with messages, meals, visits, cards, and countless acts of kindness. It is impossible to name everyone who helped carry us through this time, but please know how grateful we are.

A special thank you goes to Cynthia’s cousin Andrea, with whom she shared a close bond. They have always been two strong and intelligent women who know how to make things happen. In Cynthia’s final weeks, Andrea’s care and steady presence meant so much to Cynthia and to our family. We are also deeply grateful to Sharon, a cherished family friend who has always been like an aunt to Cynthia and Pam. Sharon came to Winnipeg to support Kathy and Joe and made it possible for Kathy to be by Cynthia’s side in her final days. We would also like to thank the nurses and staff of the palliative care program in Winnipeg and the palliative ward at St. Boniface Hospital. Thank you for the tenderness and dignity with which you cared for Cynthia and for our entire family. Your compassion helped transform an incredibly difficult time into something that also held moments of beauty, gentleness, and grace.

In her final days, Cynthia was surrounded by the love of family and friends and by the deep knowledge of how meaningful her life had been and will continue to be. She knew how profoundly she had touched those around her and how deeply she will always be loved. Though Cynthia has left this world, her spirit, love, and laughter will continue to echo in our hearts. She taught us how to live fully, love deeply, and face life’s challenges with grace, and we will carry her memory with us, holding onto the light she brought into our lives.

To honour Cynthia’s memory, we invite you to consider donating to the Canadian Cholangiocarcinoma Collaborative (C3) in lieu of flowers, continuing the work she cared so deeply about. You may also remember her by sharing found hearts with one another and with Cynthia’s family, and by gathering at the Esplanade Riel bridge each February 19 for World Cholangiocarcinoma Day. The bridge will continue to shine green on this day in honour of Cynthia and in recognition of the rebellious hope shared by all those affected by cholangiocarcinoma.

“Goodbyes are only for those who love with their eyes. Because for those who love with heart and soul there is no separation.”

— Rumi

The family will hold a small private service. A larger celebration of Cynthia’s life will take place this summer, with details to follow.

Chapel Lawn Funeral Home

204-885-9715

Tribute Link: www.chapellawn.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 14, 2026