Lucinda "Cindy" Feste Boynton

July 3, 1957 - August 30, 2024

Yearbook senior year picture

Lucinda “Cindy” Feste Boynton went to be with the Lord on Aug. 30, 2024, with her family by her side after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. She fought her illness with grace, grit, and faith, the same way she lived her life.

Cindy was born in El Paso on July 3, 1957, to Lou Hall and Joseph Feste. She was raised in Houston, where she met the love of her life, Bryan Boynton, or “B,” as she adoringly called him, on a bus ride to a football game in ninth grade. Bryan loved how Cindy could laugh at herself and her sweet, happy-go-lucky demeanor. Their first date was at an Elton John concert, where a lifelong love for his music and each other began. Cindy and Bryan were married on Aug. 8, 1981, and proudly raised three children: Scott, Sarah, and Drew.

Cindy earned a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Southern Methodist University, where she was a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. She then obtained a master’s degree in Special Education from the University of Houston, which set the foundation for her life’s work of advocating for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Her youngest son, Drew, was born with Down syndrome and autism. Cindy said having Drew was the best thing that ever happened to her family and offered her a new perspective on life. Always quick to act, Cindy served on both state and local special education committees and unknowingly started what is now called the Down Syndrome Association of South Texas in 1994 in her living room as a young mom looking for support.

After her son, Drew, graduated high school, Cindy wanted him to join a community where he could continue to grow and thrive. To address this need, in 2017, Cindy and Bryan founded SA Life Academy. This day program offers continued learning opportunities, enrichment, socialization, and independence for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Thanks to Cindy's passion, vision, and servant leadership, the program has continued to grow to meet critical community needs.

With a child-like faith in God that never wavered, Cindy found joy in serving others and her church. She mentored young adults, led women’s ministries, and helped start a coffee shop called The Foundry, where she ministered to people in her community over a cup of coffee.

Cindy never knew a stranger. She thrived in chaos and was always the life of the party and the first one on the dance floor. Her house was a revolving door of friends and family, and she wouldn’t have had it any other way.

She treasured time with family, and one of the greatest joys in her life was being a grandmother to her three granddaughters, who lovingly called her “Cici.” Cindy’s happy place was in Port Aransas, Texas, with a margarita in hand, Van Morrison playing in the background, and watching the sunset with her B after a long day in the sand with her kids and grandchildren.

Cindy is survived by her husband, Bryan Boynton; her children Scott Boynton (Nicole), Sarah Gibbons, and Drew Boynton; her parents, Lou Hall and Joseph Feste (Donna); her siblings Gregory Feste (Kelley), Joseph Feste (Kelley), Shannon Feste Werme (Les), Blake Feste (Ellen), and Nicole Feste; her granddaughters Emma Boynton, Eliza Boynton, and Annie Gibbons; and many uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews who she adored.

Cindy’s life will be celebrated in the main sanctuary at Alamo Heights United Methodist Church on September 9 at 2 p.m. with a reception immediately to follow.

The family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to the amazing doctors and nurses at M.D. Anderson in Houston and the START Center in San Antonio who cared for Cindy so well.

To honor Cindy, the family requests that donations in lieu of flowers may be made to SA Life Academy in San Antonio (308 Mount Calvary Drive, San Antonio, Texas 78209).

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