Cynthia Ann Jenkins, retired teacher

Cynthia Ann Jenkins, 72, of Lewes, passed away peacefully Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023. She was born Aug. 4, 1950, in Coatesville, Pa., daughter of the late Elmer and Pieta (Aceto) Milano.

Cindy grew up in Coatesville and West Chester, Pa., where she graduated from West Chester Henderson High School. She continued her studies at Shippensburg State College, obtaining an associate degree in elementary education. Cindy started her teaching career in Burlington, N.J., and then moved on to Willingboro, N.J. There, she met the love of her life, Air Force Capt. Scott Jenkins. They were married Nov. 9, 1978, in Mt. Holly, N.J., and the next year their son, Geoff, was born. Over the course of 15 years, Scott’s job with Mobil Oil Corp. took them from New Jersey to Pennsylvania, to Texas to Florida, and back to New Jersey. Their son, Brad, was born in New Jersey and their daughter, Erin, was born in Texas.

After being a full-time mom for 15 years, Cindy went back to her beloved teaching career. She taught for 20 years in Robbinsville, N.J., elementary and middle schools. Cindy loved teaching science, and led Robbinsville to the annual New Jersey Science Olympiad, where they were often place winners. She retired from teaching in 2014 and moved to Lewes in 2015, becoming an active participant in the pickleball community. Cindy was a volunteer with MERR Institute and Delaware Humane Association. She enjoyed cruising, calligraphy, long walks on Cape Henlopen beaches, baking, especially around the holidays, and keeping up with her three grandchildren.

Cindy is survived by her husband of 44 years, Scott Jenkins; her sons:  Geoffrey Jenkins (Jacquelyn) and Bradford Jenkins (Kaitlin); her daughter, Erin Jenkins (CJ); her grandchildren:  Caleb, Kai and Jeanette; her sister, Anita Kirkner (Donald); her brothers:  Fred Milano (Edie) and Vincent Milano.

A memorial service will be held at noon, Wednesday, Feb. 8, at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Hwy., Lewes, where friends may visit beginning at 11 a.m.  Interment will be scheduled for a later date at Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Wrightstown, N.J.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to MERR Institute, 801 Pilottown Road, Lewes, DE  19958, merrinstitute.org, or humaneanimalpartners.org.

Visit Cindy’s Life Memorial webpage and sign her virtual guestbook at parsellfuneralhomes.com.