Cynthia Kay (Mann) Down

Cynthia Kay Down, 65, retired former pastry chef at Bittersweet Bakery in Livingston, Montana passed away at her home on November 11, 2019. Cynthia is remembered as a loving mother of April, grandmother of Maxim, Amanda, Naomi, Kevin & Clay, beloved sister of Karen, Carol, Kathy & Marty, and daughter of Gerald and Lois Mann. Cynthia was preceded in death by her brother Marty, mother Lois and father Gerald. Cynthia was born in Parker City, Indiana. The family left Indiana in 1959 and moved to Palmyra, New Jersey. In 1966 the family was on the move again for one year to Bloomington Indiana, where Gerald completed his undergraduate degree. A final family move was made in 1967 to Silver Spring, Maryland. Cynthia became a member of the Church Universal and Triumphant in 1975. She and her daughter April moved briefly to Washington DC where Cynthia married Ralph Down in a church ceremony in 1980. Their family lived for a short time in Silver Spring, Maryland, then moved to California. Eventually Cynthia and April moved to Jackson Hole, Wyoming then on to Livingston Montana in 1994. Cynthia returned to the Washington DC area from 1999-2001 to complete an elite pastry chef program. Shortly thereafter, Cynthia and Lois co-founded The Bittersweet Bakery in Livingston. The business was open for 10 years until Cynthia and Lois retired in 2017. Cynthia was a talented, imaginative artist and skilled craftswoman. She was an expert baker, seamstress and needle crafter. She enjoyed complicated cross-stitch patterns resulting in beautiful works of art. Cynthia was fun loving and, at times, a mischievous prankster. She had a sharp wit and a wonderful sense of humor. Our dear Cynthia will be missed by family and the many friends she made over the years. We will all remember her in our hearts with love forever. Franzen-Davis Funeral Home and Crematory has been entrusted with arrangements.