Cynthia Anne Thomas died unexpectedly at Bravera Hospital in Brooksville, FL on January 18th, at the age of 80.   She was the daughter of Peter and Helen (Dowd) Gallagher, born in Newport, RI.  Through the course of her lifetime, she meandered from New England to the mid-Atlantic area and then to Florida.  She never strayed too far from the coast though because, as her mother used to say, the family has salt-water in their veins. 

Cynthia was at her best when caring for others. The elder, and only, sister to seven younger brothers, her life and career of caring began early, as she grew up taking care of and corralling the boys.  After high school, Cynthia earned her RN degree at St. Joseph’s Hospital School of Nursing in Providence, RI, thereby beginning her professional nursing career.  She married, and later divorced, Theodore Dziok of Cumberland, RI and in that relationship had her daughter and son, around whom her world revolved ever since.  The middle of her career found Cynthia in the mid-Atlantic States, working as a cardiac care nurse and hospital supervisor in Washington DC and Maryland.  In 2002, she moved to Brooksville to help care for her parents. She also transitioned to work as a hospice nurse, through which she was well-loved and respected throughout Hernando County.   

Cynthia kept a small circle of friends, and poured much of her love into her children, nieces and nephews, and grandchildren.  She was an excellent, prolific knitter and cross-stitcher until losing her sight, gifting much of her family with her beautiful creations.  She was smart, funny, sassy and stubborn, sometimes simultaneously.  And if she had no one within reach to care for, she would find a cat.  Or two.  Or many. She took great pride in the military service of her father and brothers, and passed that pride along to her children.

Cynthia is pre-deceased by her parents, Pete and Helen Gallagher of Brooksville, her brothers Alan, Craig and Ken Gallagher.  She is also tragically pre-deceased by her beloved son, Edward Dziok, then 15.  She is survived by her daughter LTC (Ret.) Linda (Bob) Paroline of Essex Junction VT; her grandchildren CPT Hannah (Eythan) Caputo of Honolulu, HI; SSG Micah (Julie) Paroline of Underhill, VT; Joshua Paroline of Denver, CO; and A1C Lydia Paroline of Monterey, CA, and four great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her loving, faithful brothers:  Peter (Pam) Gallagher of Riverview, FL; Brian (Patricia) Gallagher of Cape Coral, FL; James (Ellen) Gallagher of North Providence, RI and Dan (Laura) Gallagher of Charlotte, NC, and dozens of nieces and nephews. 

A Memorial Service will be held at Downing Funeral Home in Spring Hill, FL on Saturday, January 22 at 4 p.m.  Viewing will begin at 3 p.m.  In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Lighthouse for the Blind of Brooksville, FL.