|
Light a Candle
It is with great sadness that the McCarthy Family announces the passing of Cynthia Ann Misaye McCarthy on August 11, 2020. Cynthia passed away comfortably and peacefully in her sleep at Islands Hospice Hale after a hard-fought battle with a sudden illness. She was 67 years old.
Cynthia was born on Maui on July 16, 1953, the first daughter of Evelyn and Teruo Kamasaki. She is preceded in death by her parents and husband Robert McCarthy. She is survived by her two children Robyn (Brian) Garner and Andrew McCarthy, and her sister Claire (Life Partner Bob Ellis) Kamasaki.
Cynthia led a very fascinating life. From age 8 she spent 4 years in Iran and traveled back through Europe on her way home to Maui.Cynthia often reminisced about how much that experience impacted her life and made her see the world very differently from such an early time.
Upon return to Maui, Cynthia participated in the Wailuku Hongwanji’s Jr. YBA and 4-H Club, and was an integral member of the first female cross-country team at Baldwin High School before graduating in 1971. She attended UH Manoa where she earned her Dual-Bachelor’s in Fashion Merchandising and Psychology. Then departed for the Mainland where she thrived as Department Manager and Assistant Buyer for high-end department stores, earned a third degree in Computer Science from Lamson Business College, and traveled across the country before returning to Maui to start her family.
Cynthia worked for the County of Maui for nearly 25 years with the Police, Finance, and Housing Departments. She was an advocate of Hui O Na Wai ‘Eha and a strong political supporter: volunteering at voting booths, campaigning for candidates, and monitoring MSNBC for the latest political developments. Prior to and in her retirement she also proudly saw her children flourish as she was able to attend her daughter’s Military Commissioning in Rhode Island and Doctoral graduation in Maryland, and her son’s Eagle Scout Indoctrination before praising him on experiencing the world abroad and graduating with his BAS in Creative Media during the time of COVID.
The family would also like to extend our most sincere appreciation to the nurses at Islands Hospice for making Cynthia’s final journey comfortable and peaceful; the nurses and doctors at the Maui Memorial Medical Center ER & ICU for giving her every possible fighting chance; and friend Daphne Okamoto, Mayor Victorino, Council Chairman Alice Lee, and the office of Ed Case for their compassion and support during this difficult time.
