Cynthia Clancy

Cynthia Clancy, 84, of South Kingstown, passed away on April 11, 2025. Preceded in death by her parents, Leonard and Pansy Sheppard, and Brothers Benny and Richard Ruth and survived by her Sister Sandra Sheppard Semonski and her two nephews Brian and David Tharp.

Cynthia was born in South Kingstown and raised in Narragansett R.I., by her parents, she was very close to her father who spent a lot of his time on the water; where she also spent a lot of her time as well at the beach and down by the sea wall. Later in her teen years she left Rhode Island after meeting and marrying a Sailor in the US. Navy and traveled the world as a Navy Spouse spending time in Virginia, Hawaii, California and Italy. Eventually she returned home to her roots and the small community of Narragansett. She became a state employee working in Human Resources at the University of RI. also gave local tours on the history of Narragansett, the Towers and somehow found time to be a Girl Sout Leader as well as on several municipal boards and organizations involved with parades and events around town.

Cynthia was a devout Christian and a very active member of her church St. Peter’s by the Sea and a member for 75 years. Singing in the choir, organizing church events and ensuring the legacy of her church continued with high esteem. She often gave tours of the church and discussed the history and meaning of the stained - glass windows as she believed they each told a story. Her faith was unwavering and at the forefront of everything she said and did.

A giving soul she was known for helping anyone she felt was in need. She was a natural philanthropist at heart and was very giving and active to many organizations but specifically those involving children literacy and Veteran organizations. Known for collecting and donating books to needy children at Christmastime she managed in just over a six-year period to donate over 28,000 books to area children in need.

Cynthia was a beautiful soul who did not know a stranger. She was very well-known in the community and was always so proud to have a conversation with someone whom she thought she could help or just excitedly share details about the small seaside village of Narragansett which she called home.

Her family will be having a Celebration of Life at St. Peter’s by the Sea, 72 Central St, Narragansett, RI. on Saturday, June 28th at 11:00 am.

Please join them in remembering her.