Cynthia Margaret Wynant (nee “Young”) passed away peacefully at her home on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, just shy of her 93rd birthday. Cynthia was born in Goderich, Ontario, Canada to Irene (Fry) and Scott Young on January 9, 1933.  The eldest of three girls, from an early age, Cynthia dreamed of becoming a nurse and fulfilled that dream in 1955, when she graduated from a 3-year nursing program at the St Joseph’s School of Nursing of the University of Western Ontario. That year, she was offered a job at Stanford University, and set off for San Francisco, where she met Ted Wynant, an Esso (Exxon) engineer working in New Jersey, who had been drafted by the Army and stationed in San Francisco! Married in 1956, together they created a life of giving, caring for others and an environment of welcoming hospitality.

Ted’s career provided many opportunities for travel and project assignments which took the family to live in Germany and Alaska.  In the early 1960s, Cynthia was proud to have taken on the rigors of becoming an American citizen, and equally proud of her Canadian roots and love of a good snowy winter. Even at age 90, she would be the first one outside shoveling her drive and walkways!

She put her nursing degree to good use in various paid positions over the years, working with the young and old, the small and tall and everyone one and all, as a School Nurse, at Morristown Memorial Mt Kemble Division, and Carrier Clinic. Over time, she developed a particular interest in the elderly, the aging process and how to care for the growing aging population. While working full-time, Cynthia began taking classes at the College of Saint Elizabeth in 1981. In 1985, at the age of 52, she received her B.S. in Nursing, with a focus on gerontology.

Cynthia, known to most as “MeMe” (a nickname given to her by her eldest grandson, Joseph), was in a word, a “do-er”.  She devoted much of her life to non-profit organizations. She loved working on projects both large and small, and building community among people, with her unique way of encouraging others to join in to start something new or support something already in place, always incorporating her ever-present smile, positive attitude and bringing her mischievous fun side to all endeavors. She was a good neighbor and friend, with her door always open to good conversation and, when needed, a source of sound advice and a shoulder to lean on.

Whether it be hosting the Basking Ridge Garden Club members each year at her home for the month of November for boxwood tree making; hosting meetings and fundraising with the Friends of the Adult Day Center such as the Cookie Walk, Taste of the Hills and Market Days; working tirelessly in the Boutique Tent twice a year at the VNA/Atlantic Health Rummage sale; starting a non-profit Opera Company in Anchorage, Alaska or involvement in Presbyterian Churches in Goderich, Alaska (Youth Group advisor)  and New Jersey, serving as a Deacon and Stephen Minister at the Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church, or her instrumental role in the formation of Ridge High School and William Annin ski clubs, Cynthia put her heart and soul into ensuring that the activities were not only productive for the organizations, but also a happy, meaningful experience for all involved.

One of the non-profit endeavors that was most dear to her heart is the Somerset Hills Adult Day Center, founded in 1988, that she and Ted, along with Natalie and Bob Ambrose and strong support from Evelyn Savage, then Director of the Somerset Hills Visiting Nurse Association.  The Adult Day Center served both the elderly and their family caregivers, providing a place for socialization and activities for the clients, and a respite for their primary caregivers. In the early years, Cynthia focused her time and energy not only on working voluntarily at the center as its first director and nurse, but also, along with the Board of Directors and Friends committees, on fundraising events for the center. In 2002, the center was taken under the umbrella of the Visiting Nurses Association (VNA) of Somerset Hills and is now part of Atlantic Health. In 1995, Cynthia was honored at the Somerset Hills YMCA’s Volunteer Recognition Night and when asked what motivates her to be a volunteer, she explained “I have been volunteering in organizations since I was a child; I get a great deal of personal satisfaction from volunteering, meet a lot of great people and learn more about my community.”  Mission accomplished MeMe! Certainly, a life well-lived!

At home, she loved hosting family and friends, the more the merrier, and particularly loved having everyone gathered around the table, especially for her favorite holiday of Christmas, serving a full meal, including her traditional Coquilles St Jacques, a cheese course, and pecan pie. Cynthia’s proudest and happiest times were spent with family, son JS (Kay) and grandchildren, Joseph (Rosy); Peter (Jackie); Margot (Keith) and daughter, Nancy (Bryan) and granddaughter, Caitlyn, as well as grand-dogs, Lily, Rory and Moose and grand-cat, Frankie, along with family and friends throughout the US and Canada. She loved hearing about everyone’s journeys and was so proud of all their accomplishments.  She enjoyed traveling the world with Ted, summer trips to Canada & Michigan to visit family, a six-week camping trip across the US, skiing in Colorado & Vermont, summer visits when Joseph, Peter & Margot were little, daily life with Caitlyn and enjoyable special vacations with her entire family, with a particularly memorable sub-zero celebration in Stowe, Vermont for her 85th birthday.

Her family is planning a celebration of life to be held at a later date at the Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church, during which we know she would be encouraging you all to be present for one another with a warm smile, lots of laughter, and brightly colored clothing. No flowers please (and particularly not orange ones or Lilies).

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations in her honor to The Atlantic Adult Day Center, noting Cynthia Wynant in your donation to The Atlantic Health Adult Day Center, Attn: Danielle Ferrante, 465 South Street, Suite 100, Morristown, NJ  07960.