Cindy Campbell as open-hearted, optimistic and busy taking care of all her friends and family right up until the moment she left this earth early in the morning on January 10, 2019.

Born Cynthia Jane Campbell on July 1, 1957, in Charlotte, North Carolina, Cindy was the fourth (of six) and favorite child of Sara and John Campbell.

When they moved from Charlotte to the newly-opened Lake Norman in the 1960s, the entire Campbell family worked together to build community there. Cindy always said this is where she learned the value of treating others well.

Throughout her life, Cindy excelled academically, socially and professionally. She was never bored, always dependable. Teachers described her as a bright spot in every classroom.

Cindy graduated from North Mecklenburg High School in 1975 and kept friendships with classmates and teachers for almost 50 years. She blossomed during her time at UNC Chapel Hill and kept lifelong friendships from those days, too. Her degree in Political Science from UNC in 1979 led to a hilarious career in waitressing before she came home to Lake Norman to begin her madcap career in advertising sales. A publishing associate once said that working with Cindy Campbell was like living in an episode of I Love Lucy — except blonde and with more heart.

In 1983, Cindy helped to launch the Lake Norman Magazine, which she claimed as her happiest achievement. After selling to Knight-Ridder in 1986, she packed her bags and moved to New York City, where she expanded her career and made even more friends.

Cindy fiercely loved her wonderful life. She loved music, art, food, books, wine, movies, travel, her Carolina Girls, her husband Michael, and probably any of you who are reading this notice.

Cindy had many gifts. She had many opinions. She had an endless reserve of what she referred to as her pep and charm. She could make a friend of the friendless. She could talk you into anything. She could tell you exactly what time you were going to get wherever you were going. And she would give you her last dime.

Cindy did not play sports, she did not sleep late and she did not like animals very much. She did not have children, but she adored her five nieces and five nephews and she imagined great things for their lives.

Almost four years ago Cindy was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer. She did not stop living. She immediately agreed to try whatever treatment Duke Medical Center might offer and became Duke’s Poster Girl for an amazing chemotherapy, Ibrance. She also decided to get married for the first time. Since 2016, she and Michael Laffey have enjoyed peaceful days together. During these years Cindy stopped working but served on the Board of Directors for Hospice of Iredell County, where her family has been involved for many years.

In August, 2018, Cindy and Michael moved to Mt. Pleasant SC to savor simple, easy days near the ocean. At Thanksgiving, even with news that her liver was failing, Cindy was with her family, laughing, singing, making fruitcake and dancing.

Cindy walked in the door of Gordon Hospice House on December 29, 2018, and began to invite friends and family to come see her. On Monday, she organized a New Year’s Eve party. On Wednesday, she sang along with musician friends in her room. On Friday, she declared it was Hospice Happy Hour in the Cindy Campbell Stardust Lounge and friends and family all drank a toast. She died peacefully in her sleep just a few days later.

Cindy is survived by husband Michael Laffey, and by her grateful but broken-hearted family: John Alan Campbell, Anne Lineberger Campbell, Sara Beth, Melissa, and Ryan; Susan Campbell; Eddie Campbell, Nunta Campbell, Juntra; Linda Campbell Morrow, Bob Morrow, Ali Morrow, Walker and Salem; Drew Morrow, Stacey Morrow, Maddox and Myers; Donna Campbell, Georgann Eubanks, countless friends all over the world, many kind aunts and uncles and cousins, and Nebo and Shep, two good dogs who really changed her mind about animals.

Cindy hopes that everyone who loves her will continue to celebrate her in all the ways you can. She especially encourages donations of time and treasure to Hospice of Iredell County and urges us all to keep working to find a cure for cancer.

A Celebration of Cindy Campbell is planned for Saturday, Feb 2, 2019, at 1 pm, at the Eno River Universal Unitarian Church, 4907 Garrett Road, Durham NC.

Arrangements by Nicholson Funeral Home, Statesville NC. Donations to Hospice of Iredell, Gordon Hospice House, 2341 Simonton Rd, Statesville, NC 28625, www.hoic.org/donate_form.asp