Cynthia L. Parks

April 11, 1951 - June 29, 1997

Cynthia Louise Parks, 46, was born on April 11, 1951, in Chicago, Ill. She died on June 29, 1997, in Los Angeles, Calif.

She is survived by her mother, Gwen Parks of Crystal River, Fla.; her brothers, Christopher (Patty) Parks of Napierville, Ill., and Ran-dolph (Mary) Parks of Lombard, Ill.; niece, Joelle Parks; nephews, Christopher Jr., Ryan Parks of Napierville and Dustin Parks of Lombard; aunts and uncles, Adelaide Woodward and Thomas Dosmann (Martha) of South Bend, Ind., Barbara Goddard, Yvonne Dosmann of Mishawaka, Ind., Jacqueline (Roland) Horvath of Osceola, Ind., Delphine (Robert) Wirt of Elkhart, Ind., William (Jeanne) Dosmann of Lavonia, Mich.; her godmother, Jean (Thomas) Bennett of Green Bay, Wis., 42 cousins; and her adopted Uncle Jack and Aunt Gloria Kramer of Los Angeles, Calif.

A memorial Mass was held in her home parish church, St. Peter the Apostle in Westwood, Calif., the same church she had attended in early childhood.

On Friday, July 11, a memorial Mass will be held in St. Monica's Church, Mishawaka, with Rev. Bill Sullivan celebrating. Burial will follow in Mishawaka's Historical City Cemetery.

She was preceded in death by her father, Olen L. Parks, a well-known tennis player and official who attended Notre Dame University. He, along with Jack Kramer, started the first professional tennis tour in the United States. He was vice-president in charge of the newly established tennis department at Wilson Sporting Goods Company, their first officer and, along with Jack Kramer, was responsible for the revitalization of tennis in the United States. He became the first non-professional player/umpire to be inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame. This medal, presented posthumously along with a trophy presented by Wilson Sporting Good (which included a tennis scholarship), was donated to Notre Dame University and is permanently displayed in the Joyce Center.

She was also preceded in death by her maternal grandfather, August B. Dosmann; her grandmother; Irma C. Dosmann, to whom she frequently sent red roses; her paternal grandparents, Issac Kane and Violet Shy Parks; and by her godfather, Gerard P. Canfield.

She was a loving daughter, a wonderful big sister, a joyful aunt, a gracious niece, and a cousin that promoted camaraderie.

She attended Sacred Heart School in Lombard, Ill., graduated from Glenbard East High School in Lombard and Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wis. She held the distinction of being the first female officer of the Student Council and was vice-president in her junior year. She declined the presidency in her senior year to work for then-president of Marquette University, Father Rynar.

After graduation, she moved to Los Angeles, Calif., where she had lived for four years in her early childhood. For 15 years she was the business manager in Jack Kramer's office. On his retirement, she became the director of Volunteer Services for all the Los Angeles Marathons. She coordinated the first ''Tennis Olympics'' when, in 1984, the Summer Olympic games were held in Los Angeles. In her last position, as executive director of the ''Worlds' Children Donor Transplant Fund,'' she doubled donations in two years.

On Sunday, June 29, while at her desk working on her last project, the Celebrity Golf Tournament for the Organ Transplant Fund, she laid her head down quietly on her desk and went home to God, the angels, her beloved daddy, her grandmother Dosmann and all the others she loved.

Donations to the ''Worlds' Children Donor Transplant Fund'' are requested in lieu of flowers.

Cindy Lou had a magnetic personality which made people gravitate to her. She had many friends and business associates. Her infectious, lilting laugh made you smile at first, followed with laughter wherever and whenever one heard it. She loved and collected hearts and angels of all sizes, and sent many to others as gifts.

The Heavenly Angels must have been rejoicing as they welcomed her with her loving big heart, her lilting laughter and love of all mankind. She was our ''Special Angel,'' like her grandmother Dosmann, whom she dearly loved.

''Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay awhile, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never ever the same.'' - Flavia Weeden.

Looking up at the blue sky exactly 24 hours after she left us, there was a brilliant rainbow extending from the earth way up into the heavens. All Is well Cindy Lou, we love you, rest well.