Reflections on the Life of Cyndy Herrmann

We give thanks to God for Cyndy Herrmann, long-time member of Grace who died in August 2020.  

I first met Cyndy in 1993 when my husband, Nick, and I moved to Phoenix from California! I have been going to Grace since I was in elementary school! Cindy was always interested in people and she was on so many committees at Grace. She was instrumental in making money for Grace in many ways! I alawys enjoyed chatting with her at coffee hour— she was very interesting to speak with. She had a knowledge of the history of Grace. We shall miss her. —Bev Zannos

She was a long time member of our community and always had a smile for everyone. She worked diligently on our financial efforts like our retaining fence in the front yard of our church and our sanctuary organ. She was a real neat person and will be missed. —Judy Baker

Cyndy was as close to a financial wizard as we ever had at Grace. She single handedly pulled the last of our savings out during the meltdown of 2008! If not for her, GLC would have gone down the drain-moneywise, as many churches and businesses did! She was terrified. She told me so. But, she put her trust in God to do what she could. Well done Cyndy, faithful service in action.

She was a great character. Beautiful, humorous, thoughtful and intelligent. She loved jazz and always hoped for a jazz ministry at Grace. I served on the council with Cyndy for many years and will always be grateful for her progressive and visionary stewardship. Her solid ideas about utilizing the church property and facilities to our financial benefit have been around for the last 30 years and have greatly benefited the life and ministry of Grace. I thank God for our friend and sister in Christ, Cyndy Herrmann. —Fran Fry

Cyndy would call the church office a few times each month. The warmth I would feel with each call, each kind request for our pastor and each well wish always brought a thankful smile to my face. I did not speak with Cyndy face-to-face, but I felt her spirit, her patience and her sincerity, and was inspired by just the brief phone communications. Thank you, Cyndy, for all that you shared with Grace. —Adrienne Kaye

I will remember Cyndy Herrmann as a wise leader especially of Grace's finances, a faithful worshiper, an advocate of veterans and current service men and women, and a generous presence in both the Grace community and the Phoenix community at large.  Cyndy loved her daughter Jennifer, her late husband Peter, their dogs, and her neighbors of many years in the Encanto Palmcroft historic neighborhood in addition to the Grace community.  In the last few months, we spoke on the phone regularly, and even while struggling with her health, Cyndy and I had lively conversation about politics, one of her favorite topics.  Despite whatever else was going on in her life, she always asked about the people of Grace and the ministry we share.  Grace will miss her and long remember the impact she made in our community.  —Pastor Sarah  

Did you know Cyndy Herrmann as the smiling woman sitting on the left rear side of the sanctuary or the real Cindy that I knew? Cindy recently passed to life eternal after a service to Grace Lutheran second to none. In the 80's and 90's there were many years that our church had some serious financial struggles. Interest rates were high and people were not buying big ticket items. On the good side return on investments were great. We were fortunate enough to have small amounts of money and the Church Council had Cyndy Herrmann to invest the money very wisely and keep us afloat. How grateful we were to her for her expertise. In the late 90's we ran a campaign to renovate the sanctuary. Cindy named it Sanctuary 2000 because it was our goal to have it completed by the turn of the century. Mission accomplished. We later ran a campaign to renovate the organ. Again Cyndy named it New Notes For Grace. Mission accomplished. Many times when I faced challenges during fundraising, I went to Cindy and she was always the rock that I needed. Thank you Cyndy, you will be missed but Grace Lutheran Church will remember that you were here.  --Jim Spitler