Cynthia Quimby

Cynthia Connelly Quimby passed away peacefully at her home on December 13, 2023, surrounded by family.

Cynthia was born in Rochester, NH, on November 9,1945 to James and Claire (LaPierre) Connelly. Cynthia was one of seven children who grew up in Gonic, NH. They enjoyed the forest and streams around them, many summer trips to the public beaches in Milton, NH, and Kennebunkport, ME, and each other’s company. The siblings remained close throughout their life. Cynthia attended Gonic Elementary and Spaulding Junior and Senior High Schools, from which she graduated in 1963. In high school, Cynthia was selected to assist the principal as a temporary secretary. She occasionally used the public address system where her spontaneous remarks gained her the title of Class Wit. At her senior reception, which she attended alone, she met Fred Quimby. Sparks flew, feet shuffled across the floor, and a two-year romance led to marriage on August 21, 1965.

Cynthia was the beloved mother of daughters Kelly Ann (bn.10-6-71 in Philadelphia, PA) and Cynthia Jane (bn. 4-21-75 in Boston, MA). She was devoted to her family, where her remarkable memory and vigilance provided the support family members respected and loved. Cynthia was active in the PTA, a class mom, and chaperoned Ithaca NY’s Cascadilla Boat Club’s senior women’s crew team, which traveled and competed in the northeastern US and Canada.

As the family gathers now in remembrance, we are struck by the energy Cynthia displayed throughout life. Cynthia put her husband through college by working as a secretary at UNH and the University of Pennsylvania. Once the children were in high school, she studied tax preparation and worked for H&R Block in Ithaca, NY, and in 1992, after more than a year of evening studying, she sat for the Federal Enrolled Agent certification test and passed it on the first try. She ended her working career as Manager of the Block Premium Office in Ithaca in 2000. Cynthia was a lifelong ballroom dancer who was as comfortable dancing to Country Western and Rock and Roll as she was a 30-piece orchestra in the Rainbow Room in Manhattan. She enjoyed playing bid whist and bridge, and was a crossword puzzle fanatic. She was an avid reader, especially of mystery stories, and kept her kindle within easy reach wherever she went. She traveled extensively in the US, the Caribbean, and Europe. No matter where she traveled, however, she preferred living in either Manhattan, NY, or Merrymeeting Lake, in New Durham, NH.

After retirement, Cynthia resettled permanently in New Durham, and was a member of the New Durham Aquatic Weeds and Milfoil Committee (2008-2017), and the New Durham Water Quality Committee (2017-2020).

Cynthia was a lifelong fisherwoman who, from an early age, caught trout in Gonic’s streams and rivers. After marriage, she continued fishing with her husband, Fred, and her brother-in-law, George Haseltine. She also loved to cook and maintained an extensive record of family recipes. In Ithaca, NY, she was known at Cornell University for her Thursday evening dinners. The table was often set for twelve or more. It was an open invitation to neighbors, Veterinary, Law, and students of the Arts. Long after these students graduated, these former guests continued to write Cynthia, not only to thank her, but to stay connected.

From 1978 until the pandemic, Cynthia organized fourth of July picnics at Merrymeeting Lake. These gatherings were attended by up to 60 family members. More recently, she started cooking and fishing during the Meredith Rotary Ice Fishing Derby. Those fishing out of her home were invited to eat--her Coquilles St-Jaques and parmesan baked rainbow trout were big hits. While fishing in 2018, Cynthia realized she was out of an ingredient needed for a later meal. She quietly slipped away to purchase the item from the General Store. When she drove back, a NH Fish and Game Conservation Officer was waiting to hand her a ticket for an unattended trap. This was the first ticket she had ever received for anything, including parking, and the neighborhood all turned out to have a few words with the poacher!

Cynthia is predeceased by her parents, her brother, John Connelly, and in-laws: Gerry Grassie, Lorna Connelly, and Louis Gregoire. She is survived by her husband, Fred Quimby, her daughters, Kelly Ann Quimby Catron and Cynthia Jane Quimby Rumsey, and son-in-law, Roger Rumsey. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Ben and Jack Catron; Tony, Roger, and Addison Rumsey; her siblings: Daniel Connelly, Carolyn Gregoire, Patricia Grassie, Christine McGraw, and Chris Connelly. There are also many surviving nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and in-laws: Nancy and George Haseltine, Ann and Edward Kimball, Phil McGraw, and John’s wife, Teresa Connelly.  She loved them all.

ARRANGEMENTS: A Celebration of Life will be held at a future date. Assisting the family with arrangements is the Cremation Society of NH, Hampton.