Our beloved Cynthia Marie Kobylenski passed away Sunday, Aug. 9, 2009. How does one begin to describe the life force of Cindy? To begin, Cindy was born May 30, 1957, in Riverhead, N.Y., to Helen and Frank Ruskowski.

She attended NYU Polytechnic in Brooklyn, where she received her master's degree in electrical engineering. Her degree culminated into a job at Hazelteen Corp., where she was an aeronautical antenna development engineer and taught as an adjunct professor at NYU Poly for electrical engineering.

Cindy lived and worked in New York until she and her future husband, Len, married on May 10, 1986. After their wedding, Cindy moved to Montana where they grew, with great flourish and ingenuity, Mission Mountains Mercantile.

Through the store, Cindy's cooking and creative genius soared, bringing delicacies previously unknown to the valley. After building the successful mercantile, Len and Cindy started Swan River Valley Real Estate, which expanded across western Montana.

Her love for children and the community was exhibited through her dedication to Swan Valley Elementary, where she served as a school board trustee for 10 years, a track and soccer coach and a devoted mother.

Life for Cindy was made even better by obsessive downhill skiing, boasting 1.2 million vertical feet just this last year at Big Mountain with her other ski bums. She was a pedal-to-the-metal wave runner, avid snowmobiler and a gourmet chef who loved entertaining.

Cindy's love for life extended to all of her family and friends for whom she would donate time and her vast energy and love. Most of all, however, she prided herself in being the No. 1 fan of her children.

She is survived by husband, Len Kobylenski; daughter, Basia, and son, Lenny, both current students at Montana State University; parents, Helen and Frank Ruskowski; siblings, Frank and Susan; and Len's parents, Leonard I. and Anelia.

There will be a funeral Mass at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, at Our Lady of Swan Valley. Shortly after the service there will be a celebration of Cindy's life at Tori and Ronnie Matthews' residence. For more information, please contact Dawn Bishop at 754-2444 or Lucinda Heekin at 754-2448.

Donations may be made in Cindy's name to the Condon QRU.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Cindy's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to view Cindy's guest book, offer condolences and share memories.