Cynthia (Cindy) J. Rotblat, 64 of Freeport, died on October 3, 2012 surrounded by family and close friends. Cindy, a life-long non-smoker and anti-smoking advocate, died from Stage IV lung cancer, after bravely fighting her disease for 28 months.

Born on December 10, 1947, she was the daughter of Richard F. and Roberta J. (Swartz) Mason.

Cindy married the love of her life, Dr. Norman (Norm) D. Rotblat, an oral surgeon in Freeport, on December 8, 1973.

She is survived by her husband Norm; son Mark (Wendy) of Alameda, CA; Kate (Brett) Whitacre of Sycamore, IL; step-daughter Audrey Rotblat of Miami FL; two wonderful grandchildren Ellie and Mason.

Also surviving are her mother Roberta (Swartz) Mason of Rockton, IL and Fort Myers FL; sisters, Sharon (Pat) Monahan and Vicki King of Rockton, IL; brother-in-law Howard (Susan) Rotblat PHD. of Bristol, RI several nephews, cousins and special family friend Lillian Osran, Evanston, IL. Cindy’s father predeceased her.

Cindy held a variety of positions in Freeport, but was best known for her years at the Freeport Journal Standard, where she developed “Newspapers in Education” which celebrated students from all over Northern Illinois. Her most recent position was the Executive Director for the Freeport Community Foundation, from which she retired due to her illness.

Cindy served in many community-leadership roles including: president of the Freeport Memorial Hospital Auxiliary for 4 terms; Regional and State Amity Society; the International Relations Committee; the League of Women Voters; Freeport’s PEO-LI; the boards of Freeport Art Museum and Timberlake Playhouse. She was a graduate of the leadership training program at Highland Community College. When her children were younger she worked diligently for the Freeport Aquatic Swim Team (FAST) and the PTO. Cindy was also honored with the Freeport Jaycees Outstanding Woman of the Year Award.

Per Cindy’s request, she was cremated. Please come and share your memories at a celebration of her remarkable life on Saturday, December 8, 2012 from noon to 3 p.m. at the Freeport Country Club. The family asks that you remember Cindy with a smile and a prayer. In lieu of flowers, donations to local charities honoring Cindy’s enduring devotion to the Freeport community would be appreciated. Please sign the guestbook at www.burketubbs.com.