Cynthia Gruener Fisher Jones, 94

Devoted Mother and Grandmother, Business Owner, Kind Soul

Cynthia Gruener Fisher Jones, 94, peacefully passed away surrounded by her family on May 31, 2024. Cindy was born on November 14, 1929, to wonderful parents Leopold Gruener and Margaret Lyman Collens Gruener of Weston, MA. She received her education at the Winsor School in Boston, and Vassar College before marrying John Noble Fisher in 1950. Together, they raised their four children in Weston, Cataumet, MA and in North Pomfret, VT.

In high school, Cindy was a champion tennis player, and captain of the tennis team. She also won a significant Japanese flower arranging competition in Boston before the art of ikebana was widely known in this country. She volunteered nationally, to foster the missions of the Junior League, the Vincent Club, and the Society for the Colonial Dames of America; advancing women's leadership for meaningful community impact, encouraging women's health and well being through educational forums, and promoting patriotic service through historic preservation.

Cindy taught nursery school in Weston and volunteered to serve as den leader for all three of her sons' cub scout packs. She attended every sporting event for all of her children, and taught them how to compete fiercely, but fairly. She instilled in each of them moral integrity, resilience, self confidence, to respect everyone, and to serve others in their communities.

She and her family spent their summer months on the shores of Cataumet, where they learned to sail, and entered numerous sailing regattas. She loved to swim, and spent most mornings swimming before breakfast. In the winter months, Cindy taught her children to ski over many weekends at both Mt Tom in Woodstock and S6 in South Pomfret.

In 1978, Cindy moved with her family to their home and farm in North Pomfret. She was an avid horticulturist, who developed the gardens around her home with native plants and practiced organic gardening throughout her life. She taught at the Woodstock nursery school for several years prior to operating the Whippletree Yarn Shop on Central Street in Woodstock. She spent countless hours teaching knitting and helping others to successfully complete their knitting projects. She was a kind soul who reached out to welcome the newest members of our community and encourage their involvement in community matters. In addition, she was an active member of the Chamber of Commerce focusing attention on local businesses.

After her husband John's passing in 1991, she later married Vincent Weaver Jones in 1994. As a life-long learner, Cindy continued her education through Dartmouth College and the Billings-Rockefeller educational programs. She volunteered locally as a deacon to the North Pomfret Church and she was a strong supporter of both the Thompson Senior Center in Woodstock, and the Pomfret FAST squad.

Cindy, known to her family as "Grancie," and "Ma-Fish" to their friends, is survived by her four children: Jay (Allison) Fisher of Cataumet, MA, Stephen (Brenda) Fisher of Caldwell, ID, Ted (Mary) Fisher of Charlotte, VT, and Barclay (Gordon) Modarai of North Pomfret, VT; nine grandchildren Justin Fisher, Courtney (Riley) End, Cooper Fisher, Ian (Cameron) Fisher, Colin Fisher, Ted (Rose) Fisher Jr., Sumner (Hannah) Fisher, Carter (Jessica) Fisher and Grace Modarai. She is also survived by eight great grandchildren.

The Fisher and Modarai families would like to extend their sincere gratitude to Cindy's caregivers Julie Hazen of Hartland, VT, Diana Gauthier of Claremont, NH, Marilyn Tobin of South Royalton, VT, and Julie Stride of Pomfret, VT for their love and support over the past several years. They would also like to thank our friends, neighbors, the Pomfret FAST Squad and our local community for all of the support they gave to Cindy throughout her life in rural Vermont.

There will be a celebration of life held at the North Pomfret Congregational Church on Friday, August 2, at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, Cindy's family requests donations be directed to the Thompson Senior Center in Woodstock or the Pomfret/Teago FAST Squad.