REES, Cynthia Clare

It is with broken hearts that we announce the passing of our beautiful Cindy on August 31, 2018, only 53 years young. She was a singer, dancer, actor, director, volunteer, teacher and mentor to hundreds of students. Cindy used her creative genius to teach Drama and English at Westmount Secondary School for over 20 years. She filled her students with a love and passion for theatre and, more importantly, guided them to discover themselves. She leaves behind her loving husband Russ Weil, her daughter Sarah Knowles, mother Julie Rees (pre-deceased by father Andrew Rees), sister Andrea Rees, niece Holly Rees-May, step-sons Matthew Weil (Danielle), Zachary Weil (Stacey) and Jacob Weil (Melissa Rumbles), grandchildren Nolan, twins Emme and Erin, as well as her many friends and her workplace family at Westmount. Cindy was a gifted stage performer, playing lead roles in multiple theatre productions. Her beautiful distinctive voice gave life and warmth to characters, from Audrey (Little Shop of Horrors) to Mary Magdalene (Superstar). Her superb acting skills were demonstrated in many roles, from Nancy (Oliver) to Sally Boles (Cabaret). Cindy was also a celebrated stage director. Always the consummate organizer, she lifted spirits in her home community of Ancaster by directing Fiddler on the Roof, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat and Guys and Dolls for Theatre Ancaster, in addition to dozens of lavish musicals at Westmount High School. She helped to launch many professional careers as she shared her gifts with those students who also showed a love for the stage, the theatre and hard work. Cindy loved watching the kids tubing behind the boat at the cottage in Dorset on Lake of Bays, throwing sticks in the lake for Willow to chase, curling up with a good book on the deck, or taking the tin boat up the river with Russ to their special place for some peace and quiet. She was most at home singing and harmonizing with her Motown friends or volunteering behind the scenes for hundreds of young musicians in the Hamilton All Star Jazz Band. Her creative spirit was filled with life, love and giving. Special thanks to the staff and volunteers at the Dr. Bob Kemp Hospice for their wonderful compassion and care. In lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated to the Dr. Bob Kemp Hospice, or to the Cindy Rees Award for Outstanding Achievement in Performing Arts at Westmount Secondary School. Donations in Cindy’s name should be forwarded to the HWDSB Foundation, 20 Education Court, Hamilton, ON, L8N 3L1. Cremation has taken place. The family will receive friends at the DODSWORTH and BROWN Funeral Home, ANCASTER CHAPEL, 378 Wilson St. East, Ancaster, on Friday, September 7, 2018 from 6 to 9 p.m. and on Saturday, September 8, 2018 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. A Celebration of Cindy’s Life and Achievements will be held at the MICHELANGELO BANQUET CENTRE,

1555 Upper Ottawa St., Hamilton, from 7 to 10 p.m., on Thursday, September 27, 2018. Online condolences available at www.dbancaster.ca.