CYNTHIA PRICE BEWICK
1951-2014
CYNTHIA "CINDY"; Cynthia Jeanne Price Bewick passed away November 7,
2014 at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo. Cindy was born on June 25, 1951
in Saginaw, MI, the daughter of Douglas and Beverly Price. She was a proud
graduate of Western Michigan University, receiving her BA in Education in
1973 and her MA in Early Childhood Education in 1981. She began her career
at the Early Learning Center on WMU's campus, and in 1975 began a long
and distinguished career at Tri-County Head Start. Cindy began as a teacher,
driving a mobile classroom unit and was later named Education Manager.
Cindy's acted as Education Reviewer for programs around the country, and
provided training and consultation on the national level. Cindy was
appointed as the Education Representative to the national committee to
revise the Head Start Health Performance Standards. Cindy was a lifelong
learner and liked adventure. She became a pilot during her early adulthood
with her own single engine airplane. Later, she learned to sail both small and
large boats. This interest led to her lake home, where she enjoyed the
serenity of the setting and the views until her final days. In the 1980's, Cindy
began teaching early childhood classes at Southwestern Michigan. Cindy also
was an adjunct faculty at her alma mater, WMU. Cindy pursued a PhD. She
began at the Erickson Institute, and graduated from Michigan State
University in 1998. She was an adjunct professor at MSU and was able to
participate in a MSU extension project with the armed forces, teaching
Marines and Air Force personnel in Okinawa. She was successful in her
pursuit, earning her doctorate in Family and Child Ecology from Michigan
State University in 1998. Her dissertation research led to a book, "Completing
the Computer Puzzle: A Guide for Early Childhood Educators", authored with
Suzanne Thouvenelle and published in 2002. The book was followed by
several published journal articles. In 2005, Cindy accepted the position of
Early Childhood Coordinator in the Kalamazoo Public Schools. She was an
advocate for young children and provided leadership as a consultant. In
2011-2012, Cindy presented to educators in England and Belgium with her
colleague, Esther Newlin-Haus focused on pre-school literacy skills and
home-based literacy tutoring. In 2012, Cindy turned from professional to
personal commitments. She continued to enjoy travel with her partner and
time with friends. Cindy was preceded in death by her partner Orion H.
Flowers Jr; and her mother, Beverly Price. She leaves her father, Douglas
Price; her brother, Stephen Price; special friends, Mary Wagner, Cathy and

Ken Hosner, Esther Newlin-Haus and Orion H. Flowers III. She was a talented
professional, a highly competent academic, and a wonderful friend to many
who knew and loved her. A Celebration of Cindy's life is scheduled for 11:00
AM on Saturday, November 22nd at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes,
Westside Chapel, 3926 South 9th Street. Visitation will be one hour prior to
service time and a light lunch will follow services. Memorials in Cindy's
memory may be made to the Orion H. Flowers, Jr. Endowment at
Southwestern Michigan College. Please visit Cindy's personalized webpage to
sign her guestbook