Tributes

Cynthia Evans Mendelson passed away on December 6, 2024, with her husband Robert and their two children, Tyler Victoria Mendelson and Alexander Louis Mendelson at her side. She was the only child of W. H. Evans and Myrtle Evans, having been born on March 17, 1954, in Natchez, Mississippi. Her passing was due to a sudden and unexpected medical event that occurred the day after Thanksgiving. As a child, Cyndi and her family moved eighteen times in eighteen years and thus she attended many different schools in various cities. Her father worked for International Paper Co. and was transferred frequently from one paper mill to another to work on or supervise, construction projects. She graduated from Bay High School in Panama City and from Gulf Coast Community College in the same city. Later she transferred to Florida State University where she pursued a degree in psychology. When she and Robert began dating Cyndi was skydiving and obtaining her scuba diving certification. At about this time, she took the law school admissions test, not because she wanted to go to law school, but as she says “for fun.” While Cyndi did not apply to law school, she was nonetheless sought after by several universities, including Stanford. Her test score on the law school admission test was in the stratosphere among the top students in the nation, and thus the various law schools’ interest. Cyndi had a brilliant mind and a broad range of knowledge from her many experiences, her daily reading of the World Book Encyclopedia as a child, and from working on cars with her father. Cyndi and Robert were married for forty-five years and together several years beforehand. She was thrilled when their children were born and was actively involved in all aspects of their lives. She was a natural homeroom mom and tutored students from time to time. In her spare time, she worked the Kids on the Block project through the Jr. League, where she performed puppetry for children with disabilities. She was also active with Market Days for the past thirty years, found time to be on Wheel of Fortune, work at a bookstore, become a master gardener, take pottery classes, and become a marvelous porcelain china painter. Her china painting pieces sit in many a family and friends’ homes. Over the past eight years she has worked as a legal assistant with Robert in his law practice. They thoroughly enjoyed working together, and decided that they did not want to retire yet. She and Robert had long ago built their dream home, had travelled to the most important places on their list, had seen their children grow, and were enjoying the golden years. Cyndi was thrilled when their first grandchild, Sydney, was recently born and that was the next adventure she was so looking forward to. Right before Cyndi’s medical event occurred, she and Robert were looking at the day’s video of Sydney, which their daughter sends each day. Cyndi was always smiling and often was the life of the party. She especially loved celebrating her birthday, which fell on St. Patrick’s Day. She enjoyed all types of music, singing, dancing, jokes, and the occasional food fight. Rarely would one see Cyndi or Robert without the other. She was loyal to a fault as were her friends to her. She is loved and missed, but all of us close to her will always cherish the wonderful memories. She is survived by Robert, Tyler, Alex (Ellie), her grandchild Sydney, her beloved dog, Josie, her cousin Lenoir Smith (McComb, MS), and her in-law sisters and brothers Alan Mendelson (Lesley), Sarah Mendelson Boone (Robert), Mark Mendelson, and Marianne Mendelson Shulman (Larry). Special thanks to all her friends and loved ones who called, texted, emailed, and visited Cyndi while she was in the hospital. Your thoughtfulness, kindness, and the love you gave Cyndi will never be forgotten. Donations to support one of Cyndi’ favorite charities may be made to the Refuge House, the Tallahassee Museum of History and Natural Science, and the Lighthouse Children’s Home. Breanna Green of Bevis Funeral Home (850-385-2193 or www.bevisfh.com) is assisting the family with their arrangements.