Cinda L. (Pratt) Shinn

Cinda Shinn, 68, passed away November 9, 2017.  She was born March 6, 1949 in Fairmont, West Virginia to the late Verlin and Evelyn Pratt.  Cinda was 6 years older than her only sibling, her sister, Mindy, and helped raise her as if she were her own.  All she ever wanted was a deep and abiding partner and a family, and she got it.  Cinda married Stephen Shinn on February 11, 1967, and they spent just over 50 years in the deepest love.  When she found out that she was unable to bear children, she and Stephen adopted a son, Chris, and a daughter, Kelley, and the children filled her days with joy. She was a homemaker extraordinaire--hosting parties, making Halloween costumes, sewing quilts, baking cakes. 

She was a selfless caregiver, spending long hours with aging family members and whoever needed it.  She loved her many nieces and nephews and she had a surplus of Hallmark cards that she sent out religiously for birthdays, graduations, all manners of milestones.  When she loved you, you never questioned it.  She was a good woman, who knew what mattered: the moments, and how you spend them. 

She received her GED in her mid-forties, and went on to graduate Magna Cum Laude from Kent State University, specializing in Elementary Education.  She then became a long-term substitute teacher in the Coventry School District and was well loved by her students and the administrators.  She retired shortly after her first grandchild was born, and then she spent the years loving her grandchildren fiercely, and making tons of quilts for all of her extended family.

Shortly before her passing, she asked many of her loved ones to please, never forget her. The light and tough love she provided those closest to her will remain in this world forever.  You can’t snuff out the light of such a beautiful woman, because it shines on in those she loved. 

Cinda is survived by her loving husband, of 50 years, Stephen; son, Christopher (Robin Burbick) Shinn; daughter, Kelley (Scott Bradley) Shinn; grandchildren, Cecilia and Silas; sister, Mindy Kay (Terry) Hill; sisters-in-law, Laura (John) Pettus and Sandra (John) Smith; as well as many loving nieces, nephews, and friends. 

Funeral service will be held at 10 A.M. on Tuesday, November 14, 2017 at Schermesser Funeral Home, 600 E. Turkeyfoot Lake Rd. (SR619), Akron, Ohio 44319.  Family and friends may call on Monday from 4 to 7 P.M. at the funeral home.  Interment will be at East Liberty Cemetery.  To leave a special message online for the family, visit our website at www.schermesserfh.com.

SCHERMESSER
(330) 899-9107
www.schermesserfh.com