Cindy Pigeon, 59, died Wednesday, Oct. 10.
Growing up, Cindy was a member of Salem Indian Mission. In recent years, she attended the United Church of Wayland.
Cindy was the inaugural youth specialist for the Indian Workers Conference of the United Methodist Church. She enjoyed sports and was the pitcher on the Salem Indian Mission softball team. She enjoyed going to her nieces and nephews sporting events and was scorekeeper at the Hopkins Public School for many years.
Cindy was known as “Auntie” to the tribal youth in Michigan and involved in many different church camps. Cindy led youth programs at Grand Rapids Inter-Tribal Council, Camp Albright and Camp Green Sky Hill. She looked forward to the Allegan County Fair, and with her mom and dad, was instrumental in showing a Native American presence at the county Historical Society.
Cindy excelled at bead work, a skill she learned from her mother, and that she passed on to many others. Cindy was asked to lead workshops to share her knowledge of native culture at various schools, colleges and Tribal Nations
She is survived by her wife, Faith Pigeon; siblings Mary Pigeon, Helen Hillman, Steve (Kitt) Pigeon, Art “Tata” (Pat) Pigeon, Norm “Deedo” (Leslie) Pigeon, John “Ringo” (Loraine) Pigeon; in-laws Deborah Pigeon and Russel (Pamela) Bramer, all of her nieces and nephews and her faithful beagle mix companion, Abby Sue.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Edmund and Jennie Pigeon; sister, Sandra Rose; brothers Edmund and Andy.
Visitation will be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 14, at the Luella Collins Community Center, 419 126th Ave., Shelbyville. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 15, at the Luella Collins Community Center with visitation from 10 to 10:45 a.m. prior to the service. Pastor Bonnie Simerly of the United Church of Wayland will officiate.
Cindy will be laid to rest at the Bradley Indian Mission Cemetery. In honor of Cindy and in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
