The Cindy Colbus Legacy Fund
The Cindy Colbus Legacy Fund was created to honor the life and spirit of our extraordinary mother—a woman whose love, resilience, warmth, and unwavering strength shaped everyone lucky enough to know her. In the final months of her life, we watched her recover from unthinkable challenges with grace and grit, determined to reclaim the pieces of her independence, identity, and joy.
Cindy’s life wasn’t defined by a single cause or institution—it was defined by how she showed up for others and made everyone feel like they belonged. She was a mother, a grandmother, a cook, a caregiver, a friend, and a fighter. Because of that, we are not rushing to assign this fund to one purpose. Instead, we are creating space to reflect on the many ways we can carry her legacy forward—with the same care, inclusiveness, and love she gave so freely.
Contributions to the fund will be carefully stewarded by our family and, when the time feels right, directed toward efforts and non-profit organizations that align with her spirit, values, and the impact she made in our lives and our community. Whether that’s supporting stroke or cardiac awareness, educational programs, or even community spaces filled with music, food, and connection, we promise to honor her in the highest way possible.
We are so grateful for your continued support, and for helping us ensure that her light continues to shine far and wide.
Mom's Story:
On December 14, 2024—just 11 days before Christmas—our mom suffered an ischemic stroke at home. Our dad recognized the symptoms right away and immediately called 911. Emergency responders arrived quickly and got her to the hospital, where she was stabilized. While under monitoring, she experienced a second, much more severe stroke—a hemorrhagic stroke caused by a ruptured aneurysm. The doctors acted quickly, but the outlook was uncertain. The early days were filled with questions, waiting, and a deep reliance on support from friends, family, and faith.
The days were long and heavy. But on Day 12—just one day after Christmas—Mom was removed from the ventilator and, to our astonishment, she spoke. It was a miraculous moment, especially after the uncertain prognosis shared with us by her care team. Words can’t describe the relief we felt knowing she could not only speak, but also recognize each of us. Her words were soft and slow, but clear—an undeniable sign of hope, and the beginning of a healing process we weren’t sure would come.
After weeks in the Neuro ICU, she was transferred to the step-down unit as her strength and responsiveness improved. Soon after, she began rehab, where she worked fiercely to regain her ability to swallow, to walk, rebuild her strength, and reclaim her independence. By the time she was discharged in late January, she had made what her neurologist described as “miraculous” progress, based on her injuries.
Over the next two months, we watched with awe as she continued her comeback. She set goals—small ones, like pushing the cart through the aisles at Wegmans and getting back into her kitchen, where she felt most herself. Cooking again, even in small ways, brought her joy and a sense of normalcy. Bigger goals followed too—like driving again (she was anxiously counting down to the six-month post-stroke mark!). She talked about writing a book. She joked. She laughed. She planned. More than anything, she was eager to regain her independence.
Then, in early April—just 12 days before Easter—another unthinkable moment arrived: she went into sudden cardiac arrest. Though paramedics were able to revive her, we once again found ourselves back in the ICU, this time in cardiac care, living moment to moment in the space between hope and uncertainty. For days, we sat by her side, surrounding her with music, memories, and love—praying she would wake up. We sang to her. We whispered stories. We held her hand. We were hopeful. She had done the impossible once already, and we truly believed she might do it again.
But this time, we didn’t get our second miracle.
And in the most peaceful way, she left us—wrapped in the warmth of the voices and songs she loved most. Her journey was extraordinary not just because of what she survived, but because of how she loved, how she fought, and how she brought all of us closer in the process. She will forever be our greatest teacher, our deepest strength, and our brightest song.
Fund Administrators
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Brian Colbus
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Lindsay Colbus
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Ashley Colbus Ayres
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Brooke Colbus
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Alexe Colbus Lawrence
Donations
By Mail:
Cindy Colbus Legacy Fund
CharitySmith Nonprofit Foundation
13100 Filly Lane | Truckee, CA | 96161
Use credit card by clicking the link below.
The above Memorial Fund is established as a division of Charitysmith Nonprofit Foundation (EIN 87-0636433). All donations are tax deductible in accordance with federal tax law. Receipts for tax purposes are sent via US Mail within two weeks of donation. Please consider asking if your employer participates in a gift-matching program. If so, your donation may be matched by your employer.
For questions regarding your donation or this memorial fund please contact CharitySmith.
