MADISON - On Thursday, March 30, 2023, this world lost a beautiful soul when COVID took Cindy Chris Johnson from us.

Cindy was born on June 22, 1963, in Grand Rapids, Mich., to Ray and Carol (Teige) Johnson, aka, Rames and Gammy. Soon after, the family moved to Madison, Wis., where Cindy remained the rest of her life. She was named after her grandfather, Christ Teige, a piano tuner for many years. He passed on his love and talent for the piano to his granddaughter. Her love for music showed in her eclectic taste--from opera to jazz to country to pop. Frank Sinatra, Michael Buble, Etta James, Shania Twain, Cris Williamson, and Meg Christianson were among her favorite artists.

Cindy graduated from McFarland High School. She received a B.S. degree in Education from UW-Madison, earned two Masters degrees, and lectured at UW, Madison. She taught Physical Education for 20 years at Thoreau Elementary School. She absolutely loved her job, and believed that P. E. was much more than teaching sports, educating anyone who called her a “gym teacher.” Her Thoreau family was very important to her. It broke her heart when she had to resign from teaching due to health issues.

In January 2011, Cindy and her partner, Nicole Heide, said I love you for the first time. They shared a deep and powerful love, and enjoyed many adventures together.

Cindy was blessed to have two best friends, Sande "Teen" Janagold and Karen "Toasty" McKay, and many other close friends. She dearly loved and was very proud of her family, and was happily welcomed by Nicole's open and loving family.

Cindy was warm, affectionate, funny, beautiful, intelligent, and, above all, kind. She had an open and dazzling smile. She never met an animal she didn't fall in love with, her favorites being dogs and dolphins.

She loved and welcomed many pets into her life, Among them were Portia, Keltie and Tedi, Jazz, and of course her rock, Mason, who passed away in December. Faithful dogs, Danny, Katy, and Ruby already miss her dearly, as do, shall we say, several kitties, who are full of personality.

Cindy was active in faculty committees at Thoreau. She attended and taught confirmation classes at Messiah Lutheran Church, gleefully looking forward to the annual Trunk or Treat. She loved playing sports. In her younger years, she played shortstop and/or pitcher on various softball teams, and was an avid fan of Nicole's softball team. She was a member of many bowling leagues and earned countless trophies. She was a diehard Brewers and Packers fan, but loved the Miami Dolphins for their dolphin-themed uniforms, and connection to Florida. She loved driving her new car, Sadie, swimming in her backyard pool, camping, traveling, dining out, dog training (including agility), music, reading, playing board games especially cribbage, theater, musicals, opera, movies, cooking shows, TV Land, and cooking delicious seafood. One of her greatest delights was planning "Surprise Adventures" for herself and Nicole.

She enjoyed watching her nephews, Cory, Alex, and Brayden play football, basketball and baseball, and loved attending her niece, Marissa’s, annual school dance recitals. Any time she could spend with Nicole's family, (especially Sarah, Heide, and Bryson Black) was time well spent. She looked forward to annual holiday parties with Sande and Mary's family.

Above everything else, Cindy had a great love of the ocean, especially Fort Myers Beach, where it was her dream to one day live. She visited many times, including Cindy and Nicole's final trip, just weeks before the area was devastated by Hurricane Ian. While in FMB they enjoyed driving convertibles, spending time with close friends, parasailing, looking for dolphins, shopping, searching for shells and shark teeth, and being completely at peace just sitting by the water.

Cindy's other great love was Walt Disney World, and all things Disney. Visiting WDW brought her so much joy. She would insist on riding a “doom buggy” over and over in the Haunted Mansion. Mickey Mouse was such a favorite of hers that she even had a full-length Mickey Mouse Halloween costume. In fact, some of us knew her as “Mick.” She wanted to "grow up" and be a WDW cast member, or a trip planner.

Cindy also suffered from chronic pain and depression. While these and other, more transient things limited her physically, she fought fiercely to continue to live her life on her own terms.

Cindy is survived by her loving partner, Nicole Heide; brother, Mark (Shari) Johnson, and their children, Marissa (Mike Loveless, Jr), Cory, and Alex Johnson, and Marissa's son, Brayden, all of Two Rivers, Wis.; Nicole's sisters, Judy (Edward) Johnson and Sarah (Rohan) Black, and their wonderful families; BFFs, Sande "Teen" Janagold (Mary Muellenbach) and Karen "Toasty" McKay; as well as other relatives and many friends.

Cindy was preceded in death by her parents; Nicole's parents, Ralph and Margaret "Reggie" Heide; and infant nephew, Rohan Black, Jr.

A celebration of life will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, on Saturday, April 15, 2023. A visitation will take place from 11 a.m. until the time of the service at 2 p.m. Family and friends who wish to view the service via LIVE STREAM may visit Cindy’s obituary page at www.gundersonfh.com and click on the Live Webcast link at 2 p.m. on Saturday.

Those closest to Cindy would like to express deep gratitude to Dr Virginia McKenna, Zelm Chiropractic, the staff of the Medical ICU/5NW at St Mary's hospital, and her entire medical team. Special thanks to Connie, Marika, Olivia, Bill, Joel, Elena, Alex, Kristy and the entire respiratory staff, as well as Drs. Mohan and Hobson. A few names have been forgotten, but you know who you are.

In remembrance of Cindy's life, the family asks that any charitable donations be made to the animal rescue of your choice. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420

Cindy C Johnson

June 22, 1963 - March 30, 2023

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