PORTLAND – Cynthia Lee "Cyndy or Cee-Cee" Schools, age 77, of South Portland, Maine, passed away at the Northern Light Mercy Hospital Hospice Center on Thursday, July 27, after a brief illness. Cynthia was born to the late Ola and Kermit Heal on February 21, 1946, in Portland, Maine. Cynthia attended South Portland schools, graduating from South Portland High School in 1964. Cynthia dedicated 30 years of service to Fairchild/National Semiconductor in South Portland, working two stints. She found the love of her life with Leland and they were married on May 4, 1968. Together, they raised three children, Jeff, Todd, and Ryan. They lived in Portland and Windham before ultimately settling in South Portland in the late 1970s.

Cee-Cee found joy in life by being surrounded by her family and friends. As she approached the end of her life, she asked a nurse to write a goodbye letter to everyone she had met and spent her life with. "I would like to say goodbye to everyone that I have met and lived my life around, all of my family and friends," Cynthia said. "Your love made me rich in ways money never could."

Cynthia cherished spending time with her loved ones, whether it was fishing and relaxing on trips to Sebois and South Branch Lake with Lee and the kids, playing cards with her dear sister Janet and family at Peabody Pond, enjoying Sunday dinners with Lee's mother Azilda, visiting the Schools family in Massachusetts for unforgettable weekends, and having a blast delivering phonebooks in the summer with her kids. She loved playing wiffle ball with the nieces and nephews in Ola's yard, having lively get-togethers with numerous kids at Maggie's house, and having family and friends over for holiday meals. Cynthia enjoyed chatting with friends from all over the county and traveling to Prince Edward Island with Lee over the years. Although she had many hobbies, including love for Elvis, the Boston Celtics, playing cards, and listening to music, her most cherished memories always involved the special people in her life.

The moments that meant the most to her were spent with her grandchildren - Hannah (deceased), Katie, Emilee, and Ola - and her "adopted" grandchildren from the Childs family, Jimmy, Adam, and Jacob. Cee-cee treasured every moment she spent with them and showered them with love and affection. She always made sure they had fun, no matter what they were doing. Her grandchildren were especially important to her after her husband, Lee, died unexpectedly in October 1998. They were her source of comfort during a difficult time.

Cynthia is predeceased by her parents, Ola and Kermit, sister Janet, brothers Brent, Chris, and Gary, her husband Leland and her granddaughter Hannah.

She is survived by her son Jeffrey and his wife Kathy and their daughter Katie, Todd and his wife Diana and daughter Emilee and her youngest son Ryan and his daughter Ola.

On behalf of Cynthia's children and grandchildren, we would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Mercy Hospital and Mercy Hospital Hospice. Your tireless efforts are nothing short of angelic. Your care, empathy, and support during these past few days have been invaluable in helping us cope with this incredibly challenging period. Please know that we are fully aware of your incredible work and cannot express our appreciation enough.

To all of our extended Schools/Heal family and all of the friends we hold dear, thank you for the unyielding support we had over the last few days. Whether we saw you yesterday or ten years ago, you supported us every step. Thank you.

Per Cynthia's wishes, there will be a graveside service at Forest City Cemetery on Lincoln St. in South Portland on Saturday, August 12, at 10 a.m. Anyone that wishes to attend is invited to come and speak about the fond memories we all have. Immediately following the service, friends and family are invited to gather for a potluck meal at Southern Maine Community College's Culinary Arts dining room. If you want to bring food or drink, please email Jeff at jeffreydschools@gmail.com. Parking is available next to the building.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to The Barbara Bush Children's Hospital https://www.mainehealth.org/Barbara-Bush-Childrens-Hospital/Fundraising-Donations/Ways-to-Give or Boston Children's Hospital https://secure.childrenshospital.org/ , for their incredible respect and dedication to caring for her grandchildren during challenging medical times.