Cyndi Scott

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Only stage four colon cancer could slow Cynthia Sheren (Stirling) Scott down in her life full of family, friends, and FEMA adventures. After a two-year, hard-fought battle, she passed away Wednesday, March 3, 2021 in Boise, ID, surrounded by her children and the prayers of many family and friends far and wide.

A Celebration of Life to honor Cyndi will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, March 27, 2021 at the United Methodist Church in Highmore, SD with Pastor Kippy Udehn officiating. For those unable to attend, the service will be livestreamed on the funeral home’s website. A lunch will be provided directly after the service. The burial will follow at 3:00 p.m. at Riverside Cemetery in Pierre, SD.

Born to Richard (Dick) and Nancy Stirling on July 6, 1952 and raised in rural South Dakota, Cyndi was the second oldest of eight children. She attended 1^st-7^th grade at Lincoln Elementary in Pierre, 8^th grade at Dewey Country School in Highmore, and 9^th-12^th grade at Highmore High School. She remained close to several of her former classmates and always looked forward to her high school reunions.

In 1970, Cyndi and Leroy Scott were married and were together 25 years. They farmed and ranched in Hecla and Highmore where they raised their four children, Stacey, Jackie, Shari, and Justin.

Cyndi used her unique gifts and talents to make a difference wherever and in whatever way she could. She was a master seamstress and cake decorator and was well-known for her caramel cinnamon rolls. While her kids were young, she served many years as a youth advisor for local 4-H clubs and the SD Junior Hereford Association. She also led church choirs, youth groups and women’s groups.

Always a patriot, Cyndi was a part of the South Dakota Federation of Republican Women. She served on the Mt. Rushmore Restoration Committee and helped raise $40 million for the national monument to undergo an extensive restoration before its 50^th anniversary in 1991. Cyndi made her way into state government in 1993 and planned numerous functions in the Governor’s mansion as Executive Assistant to South Dakota’s First Lady Pat Miller. From there, she served a short stint with Easter Seals before beginning her career in South Dakota Emergency Management. She fell in love with this line of work and soon made the jump to the federal level, moving to Denton, TX to work as a Planner with FEMA Region 6.

In 2020, Cyndi retired from 23 years of service with FEMA. Her work helped thousands get the help they need in times of crisis. She worked countless disasters, including the Space Shuttle Columbia crash; Hurricanes Katrina, Francis, Charles, Harvey, Dolly, Rita, Georges; Typhoon Sudal; and numerous floods, tornados, mudslides, and wildfires across several states. Along the way she met hundreds of people who became treasured friends.

Faith, family, and friendships were incredibly important to Cyndi. Outside of her relationship with Jesus, Cyndi’s four children and six grandchildren were her greatest joy. Those who knew her best heard story after story about the latest and greatest in each of their lives. She was passionate about sharing her love for U.S. history with her grandkids. When each turned 10 years old, she took them on 10-day trips to study historical people and places from presidents to plantations in Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Virginia, Massachusetts, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida.

Over the years she cherished her trips to the Black Hills to spend time at the family cabin built by her grandfather Mark Hartwell. She also loved honoring her dad, who passed away from cancer in 1998, by joining with her mom and siblings to host the annual Stirling Family Memorial Ranch Rodeo the last 23 years.

Cyndi made her life about making a difference. Her faith, life, and work impacted and inspired many.

Cyndi’s surviving family include her children Stacey (Shannon) Galinat of Boise, ID; Jackie (Ted) Quinn of Nolensville, TN; Shari (JoHan) Wang of Boise, ID; Justin Scott of Kadoka, SD; grandchildren Megan and Shelby Galinat, Jenna and Kellen Quinn, Keira and Lincoln Wang; mother Nancy (Ray) Neuhauser; siblings Kathy Heezen of Miller, SD; Julie (Rod) Fieldsend of Sioux Falls, SD; Sandy (Randy) Sivertsen of Ree Heights, SD; Allen (Fran) Stirling of Belle Fourche, SD; Brett (Rhonda) Stirling of New Castle, WY; Carrie (Tom) Kelly of Odessa, TX; Kristen (Mike) Grant of Whitewood, SD; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family and friends.

Cyndi was preceded in death by her father, Richard (Dick) Stirling and infant son, Chad Weston Scott.

In lieu of flowers, Cyndi requested memorials be given to Stirling Family Memorial Ranch Rodeo or Steps for Hope. Both organizations provide financial grants to families fighting cancer.

Luze Funeral Home of Highmore has been entrusted with Cyndi’s arrangements.