She was beautiful. She was poised. She was full of life.
Cindy’s vision was steadfast and she took the kind of leaps of faith that we all talk about doing. She was marvelous in her leadership, tender in her teaching and generous with her time. She was forever intent on being in the people business. If you knew her, you surely have the greatest memories and if you’re like me and late in my arrival, you feel like you know her and listen intently to the stories of those who did.
Twenty-nine years ago Cindy Sutt started a little basement design business, CynDesign, to give herself the financial freedom to stay home with her baby, Amanda, and do what she loved. She was creative, and full of talents. As the company grew, which it most certainly did, and was reshaped to be Rock Paper Scissors, she had her hands in all kinds of pots and gave herself endlessly to the best kinds of causes. She lived graciously and generously and found that the key to being grateful was focusing on the good. Always on the good.
Upon her diagnosis of cancer in 2013, she never forgot to be grateful. No, Cindy saw it as an opportunity to enjoy life all the more. She went Braves games, live TedTalks, heard the Dalai Lama speak when he came to Duluth, and still rang the bell for the Salvation Army at Christmas. Even as she lost her hair and her physical strength seemed to be running on empty, it was just that – still running.
On March 19, 2014, she left as gracefully as she came.
We still make calls in ‘Cindy’s office’ and discover long lost files that we thought were gone forever, but of course, she would have known exactly where to find. Her art covers the walls at Rock Paper Scissors and she’s in our conversations constantly.
She lived a life worth celebrating, and the rest of us here at RPS try to do that very thing daily. Cindy left behind joy and the reminder to do things for the sake of doing them, to live life with purpose, and do everything while always, always focusing on the good. We celebrate what she started, the road she paved for us, and the map she left as we keep moving forward.
Cheers to you, Cindy Sutt. You inspire us everyday.
Catherine
