Cindy Joan Lydon-Ferrante of South Portland, Maine, died Monday, December 30, 2024, at home surrounded by her loved ones at the age of 90.

Cindy was born October 1, 1934, at home on Newbury Street in the "Little Italy" neighborhood of Portland to Italian immigrant parents, Angela Ricci and Antonio Ferrante.

She grew up in the close-knit community during a time when resources were scarce, and values were everything.  She reminisced about her father's grocery store and her mother's tendency to invite strangers in need to the dinner table on a regular basis.

Cindy was a devout Christian who took much solace in her faith throughout her life and as she prepared herself to be with God.  She was active in her church and made many life-long friends there over the years.  Her faith in God gave her a profound sense of purpose and comfort.

Cindy attended Portland High School and graduated in 1952.  She worked for a time at the telephone company and held a clerical position at Maine Medical Center before she met and married Lawrence Lydon on October 12, 1957.  Later, she worked many years as a caregiver for several elderly clients.

Cindy had four children, Larry, Angela, Michele and Bernadette.  She was blessed with six grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.  Cindy devoted her life to caring for her youngest daughter, Bernie, who brings a special brightness to the entire family.  She loved and cared for family above all.  Her home was the central point for all of her loved ones, and she continued to host family dinners into her last weeks of life.

Cindy loved the ocean and enjoyed boat rides, visits to Willard beach and walks at Bug Light Park.  She was active in her church community and supported many local non-profits like the Root Cellar, as well as multiple charities.  She was a very generous soul; she genuinely wanted everyone to have enough food on their table and warm clothes to wear.  Cindy was a top-notch bargain hunter and really enjoyed shopping for great deals and then finding someone to give her finds to.  She also enjoyed playing Scrabble with her two sisters.  She spent hours looking up words.  She especially enjoyed playing Words With Friends on her iPad.  Cindy was an exceptional cook.  Her specialties were pasta and meatballs with her signature tomato sauce and her homemade chicken soup, which everyone got a serving of if they were ill.  A highlight of Cindy's life was visiting her parent's birthplace in Italy and all of her relatives in the small mountain town of Lettomanoppello.  She was proud of her heritage and her family is blessed to have inherited this history.

She was predeceased by her brother, Antonio (Tony) Romasco, and her sister, Diana Ferrante of Portland, Maine.

Cindy is survived by her sister, Mary Ann Roberts of Stratham, NH; her children, Larry Lydon and wife Tracy, Angela Berry, Michele Cyr and husband Paul, and Bernadette Lydon, all of Cape Elizabeth; grandchildren, Meagan, Bacall, Tanner, Katie, Benjamin, and Antonio; great-grandchildren, Tristan, Samantha, Ryan, Sage, Zoi, Hali, Cash, Forest, Noel, Benjamin and Betson; niece, Jaime and husband Sean; nephew, Jared and wife Eli; great-nieces and great-nephews, Maggie, Lanie, Donovan, Prescott and Scout; nieces, Diane Cunningham and her husband Brian, Laura Fontaine and her husband David, Cindy Romasco LeMieux and her husband John, all of Portland; nephew, John Romasco and his wife Lynn of Freeport.

Services will be held Saturday, January 18, 2025, at Hobbs Funeral Home, 230 Cottage Road, South Portland. There will be visitation at 11 a.m., followed by a sermon given by Pastor Abraham of the First Assembly of God at 12 p.m.  A Celebration of Cindy's Life will follow at 1 p.m. at Willows Restaurant in South Portland, Maine.