After a long and valiant fight with Colon Cancer, Cynthia Anne Arbogast Counts went peacefully into the arms of Jesus on Monday evening, February 8, at Hubbard Hospice House, surrounded by her loving family.
Cindy was an accomplished music educator and performer. She was a graduate of Marshall University (1977) and later taught at and Directed Marshall University Preparatory Division, as well as Accompanied and Directed MU Children's Choir. She was a Fine Arts teacher and Choir Director at Covenant School, a member of Music Teachers of North America and Past Co-Chair of its District 5/Huntington, Tri-State area chapter. Her deep love of teaching children also found expression in her work as a Qualified Instructor of Music for Young Children and Private Piano teacher for over 30 years in both Illinois and West Virginia. As a performer, she accompanied the choirs of Bates Memorial Presbyterian Church, Fifth Avenue Church of God, and St. Timothy Lutheran Church. A special joy was singing with womanSong in Charleston, West Virginia. Her most recent musical accomplishment was starting Cantanti Valle a chapter of Appalachian Children's Chorus. The young group of 12 members performed with the larger group in December 2015, under Cindy's direction, at both the Clay Center and at its home base, Teays Valley Nazarene Church.
A deeply spiritual person, Cindy grew up attending and playing piano for the congregation of Poca United Methodist Church. She was a Professed Third Order Benedictine in the Company of Jesus, and enjoyed leading Bible Studies and mentoring younger women.
She is survived by her husband of 38 years, Andy, her three daughters: Leah Morgan, Lindsey Beckman and Leslie Bozoian, her three grandchildren: Lewis, Benjamin and Abigail Morgan, as well as her sisters: Paul Kay Shafer and Diana Snodgrass, and her mother, Anna Arbogast.
Cindy donated her body to Marshall University Medical School. A Memorial Service is being planned and will be announced when her cremains are returned. In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to Appalachian Children's Chorus or HospiceCare of Charleston, WV.