Cynthia McCann

OBITUARY FOR CYNTHIA (CINDY) SPAHR MCCANN Cindy Spahr McCann, of Leesburg, Florida, passed away November 1, 2022. She was born February 10, 1954 in Xenia, Ohio. She grew up on her family’s farm in Jamestown, Ohio and had a deep appreciation for her brothers, James, Philip, and Greg. She was fearless as a child. It is said that she up and kicked an old boar many times bigger than her, and lived to tell the tale. She loved her farm roots. Cindy graduated from Greeneview High School in Jamestown, Ohio. After attending one year at Ohio State University, Cindy transferred to Cincinnati Bible College, where she graduated in 1977 with a Bachelor’s Degree in education. She continued studies at the University of Cincinnati and earned a Masters Degree in early childhood education. Cindy was a teacher by profession, and taught at President Drive Learning Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, as well as these schools in Leesburg Florida: Rimes Elementary, Skeen Elementary, Leesburg Elementary and was a teacher at Legacy Academy in Eustis, Florida, at the time of her death. In 1981, she married Michael McCann. After a brief period, they moved to Longmont, Colorado, where Michael began a ministry with First Christian Church of Longmont. Cindy and Michael were blessed with three children, all born in Longmont, Colorado: Christa, Jason, and Nicholas. Cindy interrupted her teaching career to invest time in raising the children. In 1992, Cindy moved with her family to Leesburg, Florida, where she resided until her death. Cindy was quiet, reflective, adventuresome, fun loving, and tenacious when faced with challenges. She loved being at home with her children and had a special relationship with each one. Cindy felt a call from God to invest her life in working with children. She viewed her teaching as a ministry from God. She especially sought out the disadvantaged kids to teach and poured herself into their lives. Every one had a different story of hardship but she took the time to find individual motivators and often times kids made more progress with her than they had before. For most of her life she sought the bigger teaching challenges: she accepted kids where they were, tried to understand the ‘why’ behind behavior and ministered to the root need instead of just insisting on conforming. Once they felt seen and loved, they longed to act out of love. There was no end to her patience. Cindy was a member of First Christian Church in Leesburg, Florida, for thirty years where her husband, Michael, serves as Senior Minister. Cindy has been active in the children’s ministry during these years, serving as Children Ministry Coordinator, Kid’s Klub Director, and Bible School teacher. She put her faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and sought to serve Him in all her endeavors. Most of what she did was behind the scenes, shunning special attention. Cindy loved to travel. She enjoyed outings with her friend, Helen Sims, to various points of interest in the United States. Cindy and Michael enjoyed multiple trips to Maine, which they fell in love with. A special memory was their trip touring the southwest in 2019. They had plans for further travel at the time of her passing. Cindy is survived by her immediate family members, husband Michael McCann (of Leesburg, Florida), daughter Christa McCann Patterson (of Grand Island, Florida), sons Jason McCann (of Leesburg, Florida) and Nicholas McCann (of Columbia, South Carolina), brothers James Spahr, Philip Spahr, and Greg Spahr, all of Jamestown, Ohio. She is preceded in death by her father, Lawrence “Bud” Spahr, and mother, Sylvia Lovejoy Spahr, both of Jamestown, Ohio. A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Saturday, November 12, at 11:00 a.m. at the First Christian Church of Leesburg, Florida, 1701 Vine Street in Leesburg, with Pastor Timothy Schanie officiating. A time for family visitation is set at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, you are invited to give memorial contributions to these two organizations: Legacy Foundation, Inc (PO Box 2081, Umatilla, FL, 32784) which supports Legacy Academy where Cindy was employed as a teacher. First Christian Church, 1701 Vine Street, Leesburg, FL.

Cynthia McCann

February 10, 1954 - November 1, 2022