Cynthia Jane Bidwell died January 28, 2022 at home in the presence of her children, which is exactly what she wanted. Following a cancer diagnosis, her last few months of life reflected her deepest values, focused on family, and imbued with a radiant spirit of almost childlike curiosity and delight. Instead of battling cancer, Cindy mindfully chose to live life, inspiring everyone around her in the process. She embarked on an “epic road trip” with her daughters and daughter-in-law, seeing where each of her kids lived, reconnecting with friends, exploring new places, embracing new experiences, and making new friends along the way. She enjoyed the serendipity and adventure of each new day, and spent Christmas on the beach with her feet in the surf.
Cindy was a free spirit, happy to live a little outside the box and be authentic to herself. Family was always her priority, both those born to her and others she gathered and claimed. Her home was a place of love, laughter, good food, fun, and always projects. She had many favorite family recipes and delighted in spoiling her kids when they were home, especially making German chocolate cake with an excess of fudge frosting for birthdays, or any occasion. She was happiest with a full house, and particularly happy with all gathered around the table in a rousing game of cards. Or in the opportunity to look at family photo albums. She was exceedingly proud of her grandkids as well as her kids. She made extra effort to spend one-on-one time with each and know and admire their particular talents.
She took pride in being self-sufficient and could do anything she set her mind to. She enjoyed decorating and rearranging, and would pull out her tools and build or create something to fit a particular need. She was inspired by things she saw and collected, and always had ideas. She gave her kids a deep-rooted sense of creativity and independence, instilling in them the freedom to make messes and try new things, and also the confidence to be themselves. She loved nature, especially animals, and took joy in the littlest of things. She was a master at finding 4-leaf clovers. Flowers gave her joy and she was content in tending her garden. Her moonflowers were phenomenal! She spent many happy hours on her porch swing, feeling the air, and watching the birds.
Cindy was a gentle soul — loyal and humble to those who knew her. She was introspective, constantly observing the world around her and thinking on it deeply in quiet moments. She loved to read and listen to stories. She made her way through life always acting in kindness, generous with her time and talents. She enjoyed crafts and sewing, and was often sought out by others for ideas or to figure out how to do something. She made beautiful wood carvings and gifted them to friends and family. She had a way of drawing people out and finding the spark in them, often enlivening what might have been otherwise rote or inconsequential transactions with interesting, sometimes disarming questions like, “do you enjoy what you do?”
Cindy was born January 29, 1948 in El Dorado, KS, the daughter of Charles Edwin Bidwell and Doris June Bidwell. She graduated in 1966 from El Dorado High School, and attended Southwestern College in Winfield, KS. She married Charles Prather and they made a beautiful family together. They chose later in life to go their own ways, but always maintained that focus on family.
She is predeceased by her parents. She is survived by her family: daughter Tanya Prather and Mark King of Nashua, NH; daughter Christa Prather Stern and Allon Stern of Leesburg, VA, and grandsons Joshua Stern, Alexander Stern, and Andrew Stern; son Nathan Prather and Leanna Prather, and granddog Odin of McPherson, KS; and son David Prather of Decatur, GA. She is also survived by one brother, Chuck Bidwell, as well as cousins, nephews, niece and friends both old and new who were impacted by her spirit.
A celebration of life will be held in the Spring. Memorial donations may be made to Eyes on Owls at http://www.eyesonowls.com/whooo.htm.Any donations received by family will be applied toward a memorial at the Tanganyika Wildlife Park. Family may be contacted for details. Additional information available online at https://bit.ly/mymomsjourney
