Cynthia M. Blount

MARION - Cynthia M. Blount, 60

Marion, Kansas, has lost a local beloved historian. Cynthia Maxwell Blount, Lifetime Girl Scout, community volunteer, and Director of the Marion Museum, passed away at her home on January 30, 2016. Cynthia was born February 10, 1955, to Jack and Ella Swain in Houston, Texas.  Cynthia was married February 14, 1973, to Richard Paul Blount of Monahans, Texas. She and Richard gave birth to 4 girls, Jennifer, Sarah, and twins Catherine and Suzanne while they traveled to various global locations for his work. After moving to Marion in 1984, Cynthia began dedicating her time to Girl Scouts in order to spend more time with her daughters. She volunteered as Junior and Senior Girl Scout leaders and served as the Cottonwood Cove Day Camp Director for four years. She was a mentor to all the girls who knew her, and troop members and adult volunteers have many happy memories of scouting and friendship. Cynthia also dedicated herself to volunteering at Marion City Library. It was at the Marion Museum she discovered her true passion for history. Initially, Cynthia co-volunteered with her parents, Jack and Ella Swain during the summers. She eventually became the Museum Director, and with her parents' help, she developed professional exhibits and a genealogical research center. Cynthia worked tirelessly to help research visitors' ancestry, trade anecdotal stories, support community events, and promote Marion's history whenever she could.  Cynthia lived to laugh, and her laugh and sense of humor was contagious. Cynthia could always hold an engaging conversation, even to complete strangers. Cynthia was an avid Sci-Fi, Beatles and Electric Light Orchestra fan, and has been a Trekkie since the original series debuted. As a mother, she was a compassionate listener, mediator, and motivator. To her mother, she was a constant companion. As a wife, she was supportive and strong through their 42 years together. To her grandchildren, she was THE grandma to visit. Cynthia was beloved by all who knew and loved her, and she will be greatly missed. We are lucky to have known her.Preceding her in death is her father, Jack Swain and son-in-law Stephen Solomon. She is survived by her husband of 42 years, Richard Blount of Marion, Kansas; her mother, Ella Swain of Marion, Kansas; sister, Cecilie (Fred) Parker of Bella Vista, Arkansas; daughter Jennifer (Marc) Nuessen of Cheney, Kansas; daughter Sarah (Flint) Feathers of Conway Springs, Kansas; daughter Suzanne (Thad) Hubele of Gypsum, Kansas; daughter Catherine (David) Forsyth of Erie, Kansas; nephew Frederick (Becca) Parker of Bella Vista, Arkansas; her 12 grandchildren Decker, Robynn, Logan, Ariel, Arina, Brandon, Ian, Bishop, Rachel, Matt, Lauren, and Amelia; her two grandnieces Madison and Chloe; and her cat, Lucky.  Visitation will be held at Zeiner Funeral Home, 205 Elm Street, Marion, Kansas on Wednesday February 3, 2016, from 5-7 p.m. Funeral Services will be held on February 4, 2016, at Eastmoor United Methodist Church, 105 Eastmoor Drive, Marion, Kansas, at 1 p.m. Graveside services will immediately follow at Marion Cemetery, and Reception will follow at Eastmoor Church. All are welcome. Her family asks that memorials be made to the Marion Museum, care of Zeiner Funeral Home.