Cynthia VanSkiver Schoffner

Cynthia Lee Schoffner

Age 73, of Burdett, went home to be with the Lord on September 3, 2021.

Cynthia’s life story began on August 19, 1948, in Corning New York, where she was born to two doting parents, Bernard and Beverly VanSkiver. Cynthia grew up in Moreland, NY and at the age of 5, contracted polio during the polio epidemic. Her loving parents spent time by her bedside at St. Joseph’s Hospital while she was in an iron lung and was taken care of by Catholic nuns. After polio, at age 12, she had to have spinal surgery and her parents took loving care of her while she was in a 100 pound cast for 9 months and in and out of body casts until she was 16. It was why her mother, Beverly, strove to become a nurse while taking care of Cynthia and raising her four children.

Cynthia graduated from Watkins Glen High School in 1966 and attended Corning Community College. Her parents instilled in her a sense of work ethic, honesty, morals, values, and always doing good deeds for others. Her first job was at Guild Brother’s Clothing in Watkins Glen until 1970 and then she worked for the Town of Ithaca as a municipal accountant until 1982 and the Town of Hector from 1983 until 2006, when she retired. In addition, Cynthia worked for the Town of Catharine, Town of Cayuta, Village of Odessa, and Village of Painted Post. Cynthia was also a member of St. James Episcopal Church, where she was Church Treasurer, Vestry Member, and Sunday School Teacher.

Cynthia was married to the love of her life, Francis Schoffner, in 1972.
She leaves behind her beloved husband and soulmate Francis, her sister, Sylvia Miller, brothers Bernard Stephen VanSkiver and Curtis Van Skiver, 4 daughters; Bridgette Searles, Brennen Riddick, Lori (Jeff) Bolick, and Brenda (Dennis) Marshall, her grandchildren, Brittany Riddick, Brienna Solomon, Adrienna Solomon, Jenna Solomon, Brandy Carson, Brandon (Monica) Munda, Nathan Bolick, Kathryn Bolick, and Cy Marshall.

She is also survived by her Uncle Paul Blank, Aunts Eva (VanSkiver) Orloski , Mary Jane (VanSkiver) Doolittle, and Joyce Blank, along with nieces; Tamarynde (Anthony) Cacciotti, Lysette (Robert) Miller, Amber
Johnson, and Heidi Bennett, nephews Daniel VanSkiver, Walter (Amy) Lakomy, James (Vicky) Fergus, and numerous cousins. Cynthia was pre-deceased by her parents, Bernard and Beverly VanSkiver.

When Cynthia was young, she loved riding her horse, bicycling and playing with friends, swimming in the neighborhood swimming hole, and driving her corvette. She especially loved spending time with her family on camping trips, picnics, and at family pool parties, helping her daughters and granddaughters, being the family photographer, sewing, building a beautiful retirement home with her beloved husband, Fran, working in her vegetable and flower gardens, and her cats, Samantha and Tabatha.

The family will receive friends and relatives at the Royce-Chedzoy Funeral Home in Watkins Glen, on Monday (Sept. 6) from 2pm-4pm with a funeral service to follow at 4pm. A graveside committal service will be held at Fairview Cemetery in Painted Post on Tuesday (Sept. 7) at 11:00am

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to Care First (Hospice) 3805 Meads Creek Road, Painted Post, NY 14870 (www.CareFristNY.org).

Cynthia leaves behind her children and grandchildren as her legacy to this Earth and a gentle reminder from heaven that we are never far apart, but her spirit will live on within your heart.

She was a loving and devoted mother and grandmother. She will be forever in our hearts and dearly missed by her family and friends.