Obituary: Cynthia “Cindy” Pierce Oneto, 64, of Wallingford

WALLINGFORD, CT - (From Wallingford Funeral Home) Cynthia “Cindy” Pierce Oneto, born March 14, 1957, went to be with the Lord, on January 20, 2022, at the age of 64, after a courageous battle with bile duct cancer. Cindy was raised in Wallingford, CT.

In 1975, at the tender age of 18, Cindy went on a date with Thomas (Tom) Oneto. She had been set up by her best friend, Maryellen Orlando, and her boyfriend, Bill Morganti. Their first kiss the night of that double date led to a lifetime of love, tenderness, and commitment.

They were married in 1978 and celebrated 43 years of marriage together. They had three amazing children, Matthew (Shannon) Oneto, Sara (John) Rose, and Lindsey (Mike) Grealish.

Cindy approached everyone she met with empathic love and caring for others. Her sensitivity and concern for others fueled her desire to pursue a career in healthcare. After graduation from Lyman Hall High School in 1975, she worked as a nursing assistant at Gaylord Hospital, caring for vulnerable patients who suffered from head and spinal cord injuries.

After taking time off from work to raise her children, she returned to work as a word processor at Center for Engineering with her best friend Maryellen, essentially pioneering job-sharing before that “was a thing”.

In 1991, Cindy had a career shift, moving into the insurance industry. In 2007, Cindy and her husband, Tom, left their home at 19 Hampton Trail and relocated to Blue Ridge Virginia. While this move was precipitated by an employment opportunity for Tom, Cindy took this opportunity to answer a true calling to help people.

She returned to college, earning her A.S. degree in nursing at the age of 56. She served as a Registered Nurse at Carilion Clinic Roanoke Memorial Hospital, providing sensitive and tender care to the patients she served, until her illness.

Cindy lived a life that was centered around the love and joy she shared with her family and friends. Years of camping trips at Tree Farm Campground in Vermont while her kids were growing up - with the ubiquitous Maryellen and Bill and their children (who gets the wooden duck next??) - family dinner at the table EVERY night, band trips to Disney World, dancing in her first recital at the age of 35, and Friday night pizza at Lentini’s.

Cindy’s love for children emerged from a young age. She cared for her young nieces and nephews throughout her life, taught swimming and arts and crafts and created, with her husband, Tom, the most amazing carnivals for her grandchildren and their cousins and friends. (Who could forget the 6 ft. tall High Striker, Obstacle Course, and Dino Dig??….They meant business when they created their carnivals.)

Cindy was a talented artist and crafter. Her skills were much sought after. The number of people who were impacted with her “mad skills” are too numerous to count. Baby blankets, Christmas stockings, sweaters, needlepoint, Halloween costumes (also VERY serious business), and window treatments galore. Cindy not only made her own wedding dress but also all 7 bridesmaid dresses. (Who else has done that?!)

Cindy will be dearly missed by her husband, Tom; her three children, Matt (Shannon), Sara, (John) and Lindsey (Mike). She had a very special connection with her 7 grandchildren, Maggie, Caleb, Ben, Isla, Gordie, Oakley, and the newest addition, Oliver, as well as her beloved pup, Gus. Cindy felt blessed spending time with her family on their many trips and holidays, and especially Christmas 2021, as adults. Her investment in their lives was a testament to her fierce love and commitment to her family.

Cindy was close with her siblings as well. She leaves behind her sisters and brothers, Eileen (Louis) Quattrocchi, Dottie Pierce, Danny (Gail) Smith, Jeffrey Pierce, Lisa (Bob) Lewis, Brenda (Jake Bogner) Anziano, Lori (Howard McFadden) Pierce, Todd (Lori) Oneto, and Tim Oneto. All will feel a hole in their hearts with Cindy’s passing, including life-long friends, and partners in crime, Maryellen and Bill Morganti, as well as her many nephews and nieces, friends and neighbors.

She is pre-deceased by her mother and father, Doris and Kenneth Pierce, her father, Albert Smith; her brother Greg Pierce; her nephew, Steven Pierce, and her mother and father-in-law, Thomas and Rita Oneto.

Cindy’s Family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to the skilled, dedicated, compassionate and kind Healthcare Professionals who treated, encouraged and most importantly loved her during these past thirteen months, especially,

Joshua Morales M.D., E. McLendon Pruette NP-BC and the Staff of Blue Ridge Cancer Care, Roanoke
Paul Yeaton M.D., Vivek Kesar M.D. and the Staff of Carilion Clinic Gastroenterology
The Carilion Clinic Roanoke Memorial Hospital 10-South Oncology Unit Staff
The Carilion Clinic Roanoke Memorial Hospital 10-South Palliative Care Unit Staff
Christi Stewart M.D. and the Carilion Clinic Hospice Staff

Cindy requested, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to: St. Francis Service Dogs, P.O. Box 19538, Roanoke, Virginia 24019.