Cindy Kay Ware

Cindy Kay Ware, aged 62, died surrounded by loved ones Wednesday evening in Greeley, Colo., following a long battle with cancer, something she confronted with admirable strength and bravery.

Cindy had an inextinguishable fire in her. She loved fiercely and worried endlessly for the wellbeing of others. Those characteristics made her a beloved and skilled hospice nurse who touched the lives of countless families in Northern Colorado.

Cindy began her journey to become a nurse in Fort Worth, Texas, where she cared for her oldest son Carl Edwin Livingston through his struggle with Batten disease. The work she witnessed from the home health nurses who tended to Carl until his death at age 17 would inspire Cindy to begin studying nursing at Tarrant County College. 

She moved to Greeley Colo., with her two children Michael and Kayla Young, in 1998, bringing her closer to her older sister Cathy Peters. 

In Colorado, Cindy began working as a certified nursing assistant at Bonell Good Samaritan Center. She graduated as a licensed practical nurse in the year 2000 from Emily Griffith Opportunity School and later as a registered nurse from Morgan Community College in 2005. She dedicated much of her career to hospice and palliative care, working at Northern Colorado Hospice and at Life Care. 

Cindy excelled in wound care, helping to ease the discomfort of bed-bound patients during their time of need.

Cindy defied the odds during her nearly 11-year battle with lung cancer. She refused to let the disease slow her down and used her final years to travel the world. Despite the challenges created by her condition, she was determined to explore and experience as much of the beauty of this world as she could, accompanied by her constant companion and dedicated husband, Edward Ware. 

During their 26 years together, they traveled throughout the country, tent camping at national parks and later upgrading to a camper. After her diagnosis, the two began to travel internationally, visiting Chile, Mexico, the Cayman Islands, Costa Rica, Canada, London, and Paris, a dream destination for her.

She loved her grandchildren, Merrick and Arthur Young dearly. They motivated and energized her, giving her strength during her fight against cancer. They inspired her to begin quilting baby blankets, not just for them but for every newborn baby in her extended family and friend circle. 

Her quilts were a symbol of her love and how much the people in her life meant to her. Through moments of illness and pain, she pushed through, fighting the sewing machine every step of the way with her characteristic spirit, to create these special keepsakes for her loved ones.

She loved the comedy of Lucille Ball, family camping trips in the mountains, and Jose Cuervo.

Cindy was the youngest of three children, born to Helen Richardson on Nov. 28, 1961 in Fort Worth, Texas. She was preceded in death by her older brother Johnny Richardson, who taught her to climb trees and ride a bike.

She is survived by her husband, sister, children, grandchildren, stepdaughters, Erin and Rachel Young, son-in-law Alvaro Serey and daughter-in-law Angelica Young. 

A celebration of Cindy’s life will be held Tuesday, Sept. 10 at 3 p.m. at Fusion Church at 815 14th St. in Greeley.