Cynthia L. Tobey Obituary
Gloucester - Cynthia L. (Williams) Tobey, 76, passed away at her home surrounded by her family on Wednesday, April 19, 2023. Her time with us glowed with her love, joy and caring based on family, friends and children.
Cindy was born on January 19, 1947, the daughter of Russell and Barbara (Barr) Williams. A graduate of Gloucester High School, Cindy married the love of her life, Robert D. Tobey, Jr., at St. Peter's Church on November 20, 1965. Their family grew to include their son, Eric, and their daughter, Jennifer, whom they nurtured through college and sent off to careers and families of their own.
Her love of children led to a lifelong career in childcare. Her goal was simple: to ensure that every child who entered her home found love there. She did much of her work through the Child Development Program (now Pathways for Children). Its now-retired executive director, Sue Todd, remembers Cindy warmly: "She was one of our absolute superstars, and we knew we could place our most needy children in her care. We have lost an icon.".
On her retirement after forty years of service, Cindy's work and her legacy were celebrated by her colleagues and friends. She also took deep pride in the certificate of congratulations that the late State Representative Anthony Verga presented to her commending her decades of dedicated childcare service. The many Gloucester children she helped hold Cindy in their hearts with deep appreciation.
Cindy loved Gloucester, but she and Bob found time for travel in the aftermath of her retirement, visiting grandchildren in the Midwest or joining them at Disney World, and they explored the adventure of cruises, too. Cindy's love of children continued to find ample expression as she welcomed new generations of family members into her world.
Another favorite thing for Cindy was club night with the girls', her friends Cathy Ciarametaro, Marianne Nicastro, Betty Scola, and Grace McKay. Each would take a turn hosting at her home, and a good time was always guaranteed as they played games, talked politics, and gossiped.
Cindy was pre-deceased by her parents, Russell Williams and Barbara Williams; her brother Rusty Williams and his wife Sun-Ja Williams and her sister, Debbie Williams Luther; her sister-in law Kathryn Tobey; her nephew David Porter; and her niece, Wendy Porter.
She is survived by her husband, Robert; their children, Eric Tobey (and his wife Karen and their children Brian, Anne and Grace) and Jennifer Christ (and her husband Ted Christ and their children Nate, Dan and Abby); her sister Catherine Slaven (and her husband Michael); and her brother-in-law Bruce Tobey (and his wife Patricia).
She is also survived by her many nieces and nephews: Laura Porter Roaen (and her companion Sean Caron); Jeannine Silva (and her husband Helder Silva, and their children, Andrew and Amanda and Amanda's son Ryland Poku); Emily DiMercurio (and her husband Salvatore).
DiMercurio and their children Lilliana, Stella and Amelia); Dana Tobey (and her significant other Shawn Medeiros); Melanie Tobey (and her husband Dominic Golini and their children Jackson, Henry and Mia); Pamela Tobey (and her husband Christopher Lindberg and their children Michael and Charles); Sae-Hee Palanski (and her husband Matt and their children Aaron and Tyler); Jin-Hee Williams (and her son Tim Williams); and Gabriel Williams.
Cindy's family is grateful to Jeannine Silva and CNA Crystal Hare for the loving care they provided to Cindy along with her husband of 58 years, Bob Tobey. Thanks also go out to Care Dimensions for their final comfort care.
Cindy will be forever loved and missed by her husband, Bobby.
Visiting hours will be held on Friday, May 5th from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington Street, Gloucester and will be followed from 6:30 to 8 pm with a celebration of her life at the Gloucester Fraternity club on Webster Street. Her burial will be held privately at a future time. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to Cape Ann Animal Aid, 4 Paws Lane, Gloucester, MA 01931 or to Care Dimensions, 75 Sylvan Street, Suite B-102, Danvers, MA 01923.
