Cynthia 'Cindy' Dawn Gwynn Viano, 60

Cynthia “Cindy” Dawn Gwynn Viano passed away suddenly of natural causes on June 30, 2014. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. 

Cindy was born on March 29, 1954, in Whitefish. She was the eldest of four daughters born to William and Edna Gwynn of Eureka. Cindy spent her childhood in Eureka, graduating from Lincoln County High School in 1972. She attended college at Flathead Valley Community College, the University of Montana and Carroll College, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in dental hygiene.

She met the love of her life, Larry Viano, while umpiring first base in a softball game. She called him out and he asked her out. They were married on Sept. 21, 1974, in Eureka. They were blessed with a daughter, Marcia Nicole, in 1979, and a son, Timothy William, in 1981.

Her fascination for dental health started as a young child as she watched the dentist prepare her father’s mouth for dentures. Cindy started her career as a dental hygienist in Helena in 1978. She continued her career in the Flathead Valley for the next 30 years. Cindy not only enjoyed the care she provided her patients, but thrived on the personal connection she made with each patient that sat in her chair.

When Cindy retired in 2010, she enjoyed traveling and motorcycle trips with Larry. She loved spending her time quilting, sewing and volunteering at the Community Kitchen. In 2009, with the birth of her first grandchild, Wilbur Dylan Davis, retirement took on a whole new meaning. She spent as much time as possible with Wilbur, his sister Roma Kay, who arrived in 2012, followed by grandson, Bridge Viano in 2013. She loved taking them for walks, playing in the park, baking, singing, reading, FaceTiming and giving them rides on the vacuum. She was the best “Nonna.” Her grandbabies joy and love for her was beyond the moon and stars. Because she was a Facebook fanatic, she shared it all with us.

Cindy was a wonderful cook. Italian by marriage, she mastered the art of Italian cooking. Her pizza, spaghetti and biscotti will be missed by all who were lucky enough to partake. Each Christmas Eve, the family celebrated “Italian style” with fish and spaghetti.

She read many books on old English and Montana history, and was a Lewis and Clark buff who retraced much of their travels throughout the Northwest.

Cindy loved sports and was a lifelong baseball and football fan. In Cindy’s mind, “Go Griz” was not only a cheer but was a way of life. For many years, the Viano tailgate was the place to be at every home Grizzly game. Fabulous food, fun people and of course, Cindy keeping it all going with her amazing organizational skills.  

Cindy was a true animal lover and encouraged others to adopt homeless pets. She loved her dogs and trained them to be good hunters and retrievers. Her dog family, past and present, were always a large part of her life, from going on walks to playing fetch, and especially showering them with love and attention. “Many will greet her when she arrives in Heaven, but Saco and Dusty will miss their best friend so very much.”

A talented quilter and artist, Cindy made numerous quilts to give as gifts to loved ones and as donations for various causes. As a quilt is a patchwork of different images, Cindy was the thread that held all people in her life together. A wonderful lady who will be missed by so many people. The thread has broken but we will honor her by remembering the light and the love she brought into so many lives.

Cindy was preceded in death by her father, William Gwynn.  

She is survived by her husband, Larry; daughter, Marci and son-in-law, Phil Davis, of Eugene, Ore.; son, Tim and daughter-in-law, Nina Viano, of Kalispell; and the lights of her life, her grandchildren,  Wilbur and Roma Davis, and Bridger Viano; her mother, Edna Gwynn of Eureka; and sisters, Susie McRae of Bozeman, and Shelley and Tom Shay, and Kelley and Terry Comstock, all of Eureka. She is also survived by all her beautiful and brilliant nieces, nephews and many people who loved her as family.

A celebration of Cindy’s life will be held at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, July 8 at the Majestic Valley Arena Pavilion in Kalispell, with the Rev. Pattiann Bennett of Eureka officiating. The reception will follow.  

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions go to the Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita Support, Inc., and the SMA Foundations would help support two of her brilliant and beautiful nephews. Spinal Muscular Atrophy Foundation, 888 Seventh Ave., Suite 400, New York, NY 10019 or Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita Support, Inc., P.O. Box 1883, Salyersville, KY 41465.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Cindy’s family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to view Cindy’s tribute wall, offer condolences and share memories, as well as caringbridge.org.