Cynthia Irene Best

Cynthia Irene Best, 78, passed away, in Spokane, Washington, on October 14, 2021

Cynthia was born on February 18, 1943 to Willaim Russell and Irene Jesse DuCette (Nelson), the oldest of nine children. While she often spoke of the hardships of her childhood, she mostly chose to remember the good things, telling of times when the street outside her house was closed to traffic so the neighborhood kids could go sledding. Or times she and her best friend would sit on the branches of trees pretending to ride horses on the open range. And, sometimes, she would tell of pranks played on her younger siblings while she was left to baby-sit.

She met the love of her life, Jerry Best, on a bet when she was very young, asking him to the Sadie Hawkins dance. They were married when she was only 17, and he was soon in the Army being deployed to Germany. Upon his return they lived many places from Montana to Alaska and back in their hometowns of Coulee Dam and Grand Coulee Washington, with some other stops along the way. Her brother, Don, said they would have made great pioneers. They eventually settled for good in Laclede Idaho and raised their three children, Timothy Allan, Daniel Craig, and Rebecca Lynn. She spent most of that time as a stay at home mom, volunteering and running car pools as needed. Her holiday decorations were epic, especially Christmas. She also made the best lasagna ever!

She loved being a grandma, enjoyed quilting and knitting, and spent hours reading and doing puzzles. Her last few years were spent making new friends in the apartments where she lived, enjoying playing Mexican Train dominoes, having potlucks, and going for cruises in her little red convertible.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband Jerry, her parents,  sisters Barbara and Darleen, as well as several brothers and sisters-in-law. She is survived by her children Timothy (Stacie), Daniel (Erica), and Becky (Joe) ; grandchildren Damion, Jaycee, Brayden, Emma, Darby, Rayanna, and Lillian; Great Grand children Ellibey, Derringer, Clover, and Unborn Boy #4;  Brothers Gordon (Debbi) and Don; Sisters Bobbi, Janice (Dennis), Patti (Pete), and Marian ; and her beloved dog Penny.

Though her last years were difficult healthwise, her unwavering positive attitude and optimism will forever be a part of those who were with her. She has earned her place beside those she loves in heaven. She will be forever missed here on Earth.

A memorial service  will be held at Coffelt’s Moon Chapel on Saturday, October 30 at 10:00 A.M.  Pastor Barry Johnson will be officiating.