CANAAN, NH — Cynthia Love Ferneau died on January 29, 2020. She was born in Urbana, Ohio on June 28, 1934 to Margaret Thackery Love and J. Russell Love, the middle child of three daughters. She grew up on the family farm in the house where her grandfather and mother were born. Her life-long best friends were her sisters Sandy and Ann. Cynthia left Ohio in 1956 to begin a 35-year government career in Washington DC, first on Capitol Hill and later in the West Wing of the White House.

In 1959, she married H. Robert Ferneau who, like her, was in DC working for Ohio Congressman Clarence J. Brown, Sr. Son Philip was born in 1962, followed by Mark in 1967. Bob died in 1990.

Cynthia remained a working mother, juggling a fast-paced, demanding job with cooking, cleaning, and caring for her family. Her officemates recall her as a giving, kind, and thoughtful presence in a workplace that could be stressful and demanding.

In 1989 Cynthia began working in the West Wing as the Executive Assistant to Vice President Dan Quayle. This fast-paced workplace introduced her to new co-workers and honored visitors who benefitted from her giving nature and delicious baking. President George H.W. Bush was especially fond of her snickerdoodles.

Cynthia retired in 1993. Over the next decade, she ecstatically welcomed six grandchildren into her family. She was the perfect grandmother offering support but never unsolicited advice.

In 2010, Cynthia was diagnosed with vascular dementia and in 2014 moved to Wheelock Terrace in Hanover, NH to be near family. At Wheelock Terrace, Cynthia made many friends among the staff and the residents and enjoyed weeding the flower gardens and attending all musical programs. Even as her dementia progressed, she was cheerful and greeted visitors and staff with a hearty laugh and big hug. The family thanks the staff of Wheelock Terrace for the care and respect they show the residents.

Cynthia is survived by her son Philip and his wife Lisa of Canaan, NH and their daughters Nathalie (New York City) and Meredith (St. Andrews, Scotland) and son Mark and his wife Rachelle and their children Yonatan, Nessia, Ari, and Ellia of North Potomac, MD. She was predeceased by her parents, sisters and husband.

Donations in memory of Cynthia may be made to an organization of your choice that supports the ideals she embodied: her love of children and animals, her belief in a quality education and strong local libraries, her commitment to service, and her wish that no one suffer or go hungry.

Although her career allowed her to travel the world and meet countless famous people, she always thought of herself as a farm girl from Ohio and wished to be buried next to her adored sister Sandy in Urbana. A memorial service will be held in Urbana at a later date.

To view an online memorial and or send a message of condolence to the family, please visit, www.rand-wilson.com.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Rand-Wilson Funeral Home of Hanover, NH.