Cynthia Caroline Magowan
February 7, 1942 - Aug. 23, 2018
Cynthia “Cinnie” Magowan passed away on Aug. 23 after experiencing a fatal brain aneurysm on Aug. 20. The resulting cranial hemorrhaging offered her no chance of regaining a normal life.
Cinnie was the daughter of Dr. Thomas Campbell Hooton and Dr. Katharine Hooton. After graduating from Montclair Kimberley Academy in Montclair, NJ she attended Sweet Briar College in Virginia. During one spring vacation she went to Palm Beach, FL. On Easter Sunday, April 1, 1961, she met her future husband, Merrill Magowan. They married 364 days later and enjoyed more than 56 years of marital bliss.
The newlyweds moved into an apartment in Manhattan. Their son, Charles, was born in 1963. Thomas followed in 1964, leaving Cinnie to manage two infants at age 22. Douglas completed the family in 1969. While living in New York, she served on several non-profits and pursued a career as a real estate agent. In 1966 Cinnie and Merrill bought a lovely home in Southampton, NY. Many happy days followed.
In 1971, Merrill was asked to become the Sales Manager of the Merrill Lynch office in San Francisco. In 1975, Merrill opened a new office in Carmel, CA, and the family moved to Pebble Beach. Although she was now in the mecca of golf country, she acquired the first of what would be many horses; she rode nearly every day.
In 1979, the family picked up one more time and moved to Hillsborough, CA.
Cinnie’s primary motivations in life were family, friends and community. As the family matriarch she was the rock in the lives of her husband, her children, and her four grandchildren: Katrina, Merrill A., Doris and Stephen. She was a loving mother-in-law to Runa and Julie. She was our best friend, our mentor, our moral center. She was also a wonderful cook and she created magical moments at family dinners and holiday celebrations. She was charming, witty, beautiful and elegant.
Cinnie was everybody’s best friend. She had a unique ability to make friends and she truly cared about all of them. She loved to laugh, share stories, and lend an ear. And if you were lucky enough to meet her, you would know she was never shy to share her opinion.
In regards to community, Cinnie was a tireless volunteer. She believed in giving back and then giving some more. She joined the boards of directors of Planned Parenthood, San Francisco Symphony, Children’s Hospital, St. Mary’s Hospital, KQED, Filoli, UCSF Foundation and the Hillsborough Beautification Foundation. She was renowned at board meetings for speaking her mind, even if she was adopting a minority opinion.
In terms of passions, Cinnie enjoyed horses, gardens, travel and eventually golf. Cinnie’s horse, who once threw her off and broke her hip, is devastated to know the nice lady with carrots will not be visiting any more. Cinnie was an accomplished equestrienne; she participated in many hunter-jumper horse shows.
Cinnie loved gardens and her own garden was a work of art. She contributed much time to the Hillsborough Beautification Foundation and the Garden Club of America.
In regard to travel, Cinnie was constantly on the move. She loved to go to new places and try new things. There are not many countries in the world she has not visited. In 2008, at the age of 66, the family went to Costa Rica and Cinnie made an impression on all of us by zip lining over the rain forest upside down.
Golf was a concession to Merrill. She was a late convert but she applied her passion for life to trying to play this difficult game. She became one of the very few players who became better each year despite her advancing age. Cinnie played her last 18 holes at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton on Saturday, August 18. She followed the round with a swim in the ocean and dinner with friends, just two days before the aneurysm. That was Cinnie
A memorial service will be held at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco at 2 pm on Monday, Sept. 10. In lieu of flowers, please send any contributions to either the San Francisco Symphony, Hillsborough Beautification Foundation, or Grace Cathedral.