Cynthia Alice Smith Domini

Cynthia (“Cindy”) Alice Smith Domini of Phoenix, AZ; loving and devoted mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, and teacher passed away tragically early Christmas morning, Monday, December 25, 2023. Her daughter, Molly Domini-Cash, was sadly taken from this world at the same time (please see separate obituary for Molly).

Cindy was born on June 29, 1940, in Quincy, Illinois. She and her family moved at an early age to Webster Groves, a suburb of St. Louis, Missouri, where she lived throughout her childhood. Webster Groves had a very special place in her heart. Throughout her entire life, she often lovingly recalled the wonderful years that she spent there. Cindy attended Nerinx Hall Catholic High School for girls where she developed lifelong friendships. Mary Flynn Conrad fondly remembers meeting Cindy on the very first day of high school in 1954 and remaining close friends ever since, enjoying frequent trips, long conversations, and letters throughout their lives. After high school, Cindy attended college at St. Louis University for her freshman year and then Mount Mary College in Milwaukee, Wisconsin for her sophomore year. Along with her family, parents Alice and Albert Smith, sister Kay and brother Terry, Cindy relocated to Phoenix, Arizona. She completed her college education at Arizona State University, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Education. While attending ASU, she was a sister of Chi Omega Sorority and continued as an active alumna throughout her life. She would later share this bond with her oldest daughter Lisa, who joined the sorority’s chapter at the University of Arizona and was also involved as an alumna until her passing in March 2023.

Cindy began her career in teaching in 1962 within the Maricopa County Accommodation Schools, focusing on elementary special education. She was passionate in her education of children with severe physical disabilities and believed in the love and strength of their character. She continued along this educational path up until her marriage to Renny Domini in 1967, when she turned her attention to raising their five children. When her children were grown, Cindy returned to teaching, spending many years at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School in Glendale, then Sahuaro Elementary School in Phoenix up until her retirement.

Cindy’s most powerful and rewarding roles were that of mother to her five children, and grandmother to eight. She dedicated her life to her children Lisa, Keith, Craig, Matt, and Molly and regarded their successes as her greatest accomplishments. She was the School Board President, the homeroom mother, the Art Masterpiece director, the library aide, and anything else that needed her support. When grandchildren came along, nothing made her happier than loving and spending time with her young treasures. A sign hung for many years in her kitchen stating, “my favorite people call me Grandma”. There were many, many that did, and she absolutely loved it.

Cindy was a woman of strong faith and conviction. She was a dedicated Catholic and a political conservative throughout her entire life, never wavering in her beliefs or values. She spent many years supporting charities close to her heart and was a dedicated member of A de A Women’s Club focused on social and philanthropic activities and causes. She was a loving, devoted, kind, witty, sarcastic, and engaging presence, admired by those that knew her. Of recent years she suffered the effects of Alzheimer’s that limited her independence but never impacted her spirit. Her daughter Molly cared for her and provided her with a life that was not only dignified, but one full of selfless love, happiness, support, and a full social calendar. 

Both Cindy and her daughter Molly’s lives were tragically taken at the same time, entering into eternal rest with God together. Cindy is survived by her sons Keith (Tara Burke), Craig (Alden), and Matt (Jennifer) Domini; brother Terence (“Terry”) Smith; niece Julie (Chuck) Rehling; nephews Eric (Karen) North, Ryan (Kate) and Greg Smith; granddaughters Ally Lancaster, Gabriella and Mia Domini; grandsons Winfield Cash (girlfriend Madison Hodges), Andrew and Nick Lancaster, and Porter and Hudson Domini. She is now reunited in Heaven with daughters Lisa Domini and Molly Domini-Cash; the father of her five children, Renny Domini; sister Kay North; nephew Mike North, parents Albert and Alice Smith; and many dear grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. 

A private rosary and visitation for family and close friends of both Cindy and her daughter, Molly will be held on Friday, January 26th at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home. All are invited to attend a funeral service the next day at 11A.M. Saturday, January 27th at Saint Patrick Catholic Community, 10815 North 84th Street, Scottsdale 85260. Family will pay their final respects at a graveside service at Greenwood Memory Lawn Cemetery immediately following the funeral. A reception will be held from 2P.M. – 5P.M. at O.H.S.O Brewery – Paradise Valley, 10810 North Tatum Boulevard, Phoenix 85028. Flowers may be sent by January 26th to Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 East Indian School, Phoenix 85018, or please consider a donation on Cindy and Molly’s behalf to the Arizona Humane Society, azhumane.org, an organization they both strongly supported.