Cynthia T. Wass, 84, of Rockland, died Dec. 25 at Pen Bay Medical Center following a brief illness.
Born in Rockland, Oct. 11, 1928, she was the daughter and stepdaughter of the late Frederica Sylvester Hilton and Carl W. Hilton of Bremen and daughter of the late Raynold H. Tibbetts of Vinalhaven.
Cynthia grew up in Bremen where she attended Broad Cove School. During her high school years she boarded in Rockland where she was a 1947 graduate of Rockland High School. At one point during those years, she boarded with her aunt in the same house she and her husband would eventually purchase and in which they raised their family.
On June 22, 1947, Cynthia married Arnold B. Wass at Bremen Union Church. The first seven years of their marriage they lived in Glen Cove and for the past 59 years have resided at their home in Rockland.
Cynthia always considered her primary vocation that of wife, mother and grandmother. She was happiest when caring for her family which included, but was not limited to, her husband, three sons, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
A wonderful cook, she was always concerned that anyone seated at her table enjoyed her cooking, proven only when they helped themselves to the second and third helpings she offered. She was a talented cake decorator and created many wedding and birthday cakes for family and friends.
She was a member of the Rockland Congregation of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of the Later Day Saints, where she also enjoyed membership in that church’s Ladies Circle. She was also a longtime member of the University of Maine Extension, and served many years as a Ward Clerk for the City of Rockland.
Since graduating from high school, she met monthly with a group of RHS friends, simply referred to as ‘Club.’ Cynthia enjoyed decorating her home for every holiday and was one of the last to continue the tradition of hanging May Baskets. She also expressed her artistic abilities doing ceramics and painting in oils. Cynthia loved animals and particularly her miniature poodle Dee Dee who was her constant companion.
Other than her parents, Cynthia was predeceased in 2011 by a sister and brother-in-law, Diane H. and Leo J. O’Conner of Bremen.
She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Arnold of Rockland; sons, Dwight F. Wass and partner Michael Soronen, Keith A. Wass and wife Marcy, all of Lincolnville, and Eric C. Wass and wife Valerie of Rockland; sisters, Mary Sue Weeks of Bremen, and Linda C. Oakes and husband Larry ‘Boongie’ of South Thomaston; grandchildren, Jeffrey David Wass, Patrick Allen Wass, Jennifer May Pollis and husband Matthew, and Michelle Mabel Cianchette and husband Tucker; great-grandchildren, Gaige Eric Wass, Wyatt Matthew Pollis, Rocco Bertell Cianchette, and Leo James Cianchette; as well as several nieces and nephews.
Friends and relatives are invited to visit 4-6 p.m., Sun., Dec. 30 at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock St., Rockland, where a funeral service will be held 11 a.m., Mon., Dec. 31. Celebrant Peta vanVurren will officiate. A reception will follow at the funeral home’s ‘104 Limerock’ reception facility.
To share a memory or story with Cynthia’s family, please visit her online Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.
