Cindy Craft

Cindy Craft made a peaceful departure from this earth on September 3, 2021, after a long battle with cancer. She died at home surrounded by her family. Cindy was born April 27, 1948 in Mt. Pleasant, PA, to Doris Westerman. She spent her early years in rural Pennsylvania before moving to Pittsburgh in 1956 when her mother married James Kreuzberger. The family subsequently moved to Overland Park in 1963. Cindy attended Shawnee Mission West High School and went on to graduate from the University of Kansas with a degree in Journalism. Her work career was spent almost exclusively with the Social Security Administration in the Kansas City regional office. While a self-proclaimed reluctant leader by nature she rose to the level of program expert and team leader. She received several national awards for her work. Cindy loved water. For a number of years she had a swimming pool which became the neighborhood hangout. She was also an excellent water skier (and incidentally an excellent snow skier). The ideal summer weekend was taking the boat to Clinton Lake with family and friends and teaching them how to ski. She also loved Kansas Jayhawks basketball. Cindy attended every home game, watched away games religiously and attended three final fours, including the big one in 2008. Family was the most important thing for Cindy. Trips with family and to see family were regular events…especially once grandchildren started arriving. She was a spectacular grandmother and dearly loved them all and they loved her. Cindy had an infectious laugh and she loved people. She made everyone feel welcomed even as her health declined near the end. She never sat next to someone on a plane or at an event without making friends with them. Cindy was preceded in death by her mother Doris, her adoptive father James Kreuzberger and her sister, Jane Elam. She leaves her husband of 31 years, Daryl, daughter Erin and son Mike, brother Jim, five grandchildren, beloved nieces and nephews, and a life-time of friends. A celebration of her amazing life will be held Saturday, October 2, at the Arterra Event Gallery, 2161 Quail Creek Drive in Lawrence from 1:00 to 4:00. As a courtesy to other attendees we ask that anyone not fully vaccinated please wear a mask.

For more information or to post a condolence go to warrenmcelwain.com.