Cindy Lee (MacDonald) Behn

With heavy hearts her family announce the passing of Cindy Lee (nee MacDonald) Behn of Greer, South Carolina and formerly of Rice Point, PEI at the age of 67 years.  Her life-long love for Jesus now continues, as on Canadian Thanksgiving, October 14, 2024, she was welcomed into her eternal home and met her Saviour face to face.

Cindy was born in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island on May 26, 1957, to loving parents, the late Ralph & Ora (nee Ballem) MacDonald.  After finishing her high school education on PEI she attended university in the United States where she met and then married her husband of 43 years, Alan Behn. She travelled with him in a drama ministry for The Academy of Arts in Greenville, SC for the next 5 years.  Then for two decades they ministered at Northland Baptist Bible College where Cindy managed the costume department and taught voice lessons to college and local high school students. When she wasn't working, her days were primarily spent raising and homeschooling their 4 children which would later prove to be some of her most cherished memories.  After their children had flown the nest, Alan and Cindy resettled in South Carolina.

Cindy had experienced numerous health challenges over the past 15 years precipitated by a stroke in 2009. With considerable therapy she regained some of her lost abilities but in the past 7 years recurring strokes and other complications reduced mobility and ability. Even during these challenges her faith in God’s presence and guidance remained. The family are comforted to know she is now at peace, without suffering. She quietly eased into eternal life in hospital in South Carolina, surrounded by the love of her family.

Cindy leaves to mourn her devoted husband, Alan Behn, and their four children, Gregory Behn, Brittany (Arthur) Cattey, Riley Behn (Zoey), and Chelsea Behn, and her precious granddaughter Hazel Cattey.

She is loved and missed by her siblings on Prince Edward Island - Nancy (Chad) Stretch, Heather (Leith) Stretch, Scott MacDonald (Cindy-deceased), Trent MacDonald (Linda) and Kerry MacDonald and their families.  The boundaries of her family grew to include her American in-laws who cared deeply for her: Sisters-in-law Martha (Wayne-deceased) Anderson, Patricia (Randy) Lee, Alison (Sean) Gartland and brother-in-law Karl Behn.  Numerous beloved nieces and nephews and their families and an extended group of family and friends also mourn the loss of her presence.

In addition to her parents Cindy is also predeceased by an infant brother Gary, her father and mother in-law Albert and Alice Behn and stepmom Carol Behn, an unborn grandchild, and a treasured nephew, Jeremy Stretch.

Though Cindy lived in the United States throughout her married life she always cherished her visits to PEI.  At her request she will be buried in her native soil. Her ashes will be brought to Canada by her immediate family. A funeral service and interment will take place at Long Creek Baptist Church on Sunday, November 17 at 2:30 pm.

Donations to Heart & Stroke Foundation are appreciated.  Their address: 2300 Yonge Street, Suite 1200, PO Box 2414, Toronto, ON. M4P 1E4 or online at https://www.heartandstroke.ca. Cindy loved her flower garden, and the colour pink, so the family would be delighted to know that, in lieu of flowers at the funeral, you would consider planting some flowers in her memory. 

Following is a poem written by her daughter-in-law, (Zoey) Yu Tian

A Mother's Journey Home

In heaven's light, she walks anew,

Forgiven, pure, her spirit true.

Three in one will guide her home.

With angels' wings, she's safely flown.

Reborn in love, forever free,

A mother's heart, in eternity.

As children here, we'll love her still,

And honor her with hearts and will.

In God's own blink, in time's gentle tune,

We'll be united, so very soon.