Cynthia Murray

Cynthia Murray, 72, of Ellensburg, WA died peacefully in her daughter’s home in Portsmouth, VA on October 14, 2016. Born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska, Cynthia called Ellensburg home for almost 20 years and had a deep appreciation for the people and beauty of the Kittitas Valley. She received her B.A. in Anthropology from the University of Nebraska and her M. Ed. in Counseling from Boston University. Working as an Academic Advisor and Counselor at Old Dominion University and Central Washington University allowed Cynthia to do what she loved best – teach, mentor, and help others discover their best path. She also founded and operated a successful desk top publishing and translation business, Word For Word, in Norfolk, VA which operated under her leadership from 1984-1998. A CWU “Woman of the Year” award recipient, she was the Co-founder of Our Environment climate action group and the Ellensburg Vegetarian Society. She served as President of the Kittitas Valley Unitarian Universalist Congregation and was a devoted volunteer there for many years. A dedicated environmentalist and activist for peace, Cynthia was a tireless advocate for sustainable living and social justice. She had an insatiable interest in the world around her and felt profound joy when connecting with others. Her passions included gardening, knitting, reading, her husband, family, and finding humor in all things. Cynthia was preceded in death by her parents Clarence DeForest and Gertrude Elizabeth Platt, as well as her eldest brother Charles DeForest Platt. She leaves her beloved husband James Lyman Schwing; daughters Sara Elizabeth Sigmund Brame of Cape Elizabeth, ME and Amy Brooke O’Donnell of Portsmouth, VA; grandchildren Nathan, Trevor, Declan, Elisabeth, and Kaleigh. She is also survived by her brother John Murray Platt of Rancho Murieta, CA, first cousin Ann Baugh of Chino Valley, AZ in addition to a host of beloved cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. A memorial service and celebration of life will be held in Spring 2017 in Ellensburg. Rev. Bill Graves and Rev. Lita Malone will officiate. Memorial gifts in Cynthia’s memory can be made to Kittitas Valley Unitarian Universalist Congregation 400 N Anderson St, Ellensburg, WA 98926 and Gentiva Hospice Foundation 5544 Greenwich Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23462.