Funeral homes often submit obituaries as a service to the families they are assisting. However, we will be happy to accept obituaries from family members pending proper verification of the death.
Cindy Bird Kastl left us on May 21, 2018, at Samaritan Evergreen Hospice House. Her husband, George Kastl was by her side.
Cindy was born on Feb. 10, 1953, in La Grande, Ore., to Tracy and Jeanne Bird.
She spent her early childhood in La Grande, until 1963, when the family moved to Rufus, Ore., and later Wasco, Ore. Cindy graduated from Sherman County High School in 1971.
George and Cindy met in 1971 and they were married in 1975. They have lived in Albany, Ore., for the past 40 years in the historical Monteith district.
She loved gardening and cultivated an amazing variety of plants in the greenhouse that George custom built for her.
Cindy had a great intellect and thirst for knowledge of history. She developed a passion for genealogy long before the advent of the Internet, so her research was through mail and telephone calls to county records offices, churches and visits to cemeteries. She carefully copied and shared documents with contacts she made through her research.
She was not only interested in the lineage of her ancestors; she wanted to get to know who they were and how they lived.
She and George were avid antique collectors. Cindy had a particular interest in antique dolls. As with genealogy, she focused not just on the object but the lives of those whose hands it passed through. She was delighted to find clues in the clothes the dolls were dressed in.
She became an expert on many other objects, such as crocks and looked for notes and other treasures left with them by previous owners.
Cindy also loved animals. She rescued many a stray cat, either by taking them in or finding a suitable home or rescue organization. She also had a variety of other pets, including dogs, a goat, a duck, a goose, chickens and even an opossum.
Cindy was a member of the Church of Latter Day Saints. She developed many friendships through her church. She loved her home visitors and visiting other members. She also volunteered in a program to encourage children to read.
Cindy is survived by her husband, George; sister, Peggy Allen and her husband Bill; brother-in-law, Clinton (Nubbin) Kastl and numerous nieces and nephews. She is also survived by two aunts, Renee Heliums and Ann Abel, as well as an uncle, Don Abel. Her parents, Tracy and Jeanne Bird, preceded her in death.
Services will be held on May 31 at 11 a.m. at the Church of Latter Day Saints 1615 SE 28th Ave, Albany, Ore. 97321.
