Cynthia Ann Newman Sicard

Cynthia Ann Newman Sicard passed away peacefully in Macon, GA, on the morning of August 10, 2020. Although the Covid pandemic made it difficult for family to be with Cynthia in her last few months, her daughter, Debbie, was with her in her final hours, to make certain that Cynthia received Last Rites and to allow friends and family members to shower her with love and to say goodbye by phone.

Cynthia was born on October 14, 1938, in New Orleans, LA, to Robert Lee Newman and Genevieve Breen Newman. Cynthia attended elementary school at Ursaline Academy and graduated from Holy Name of Jesus High School in 1956. She went on to study early education at Loyola University before marrying Charles (Chuck) Richard Sicard on April 18, 1959. Chuck was a lieutenant in the Navy, based at Fort Pendleton, CA. The couple lived in California for 18 months, where their first child, Robin, was born. In 1960 they returned to live in New Orleans, where they had 2 more children, a daughter, Debbie and, a son, Scott. Cynthia was a devout Catholic and active in both the St. Francis Xavier and the Mary Queen of Peace (MQoP) Parishes. Chuck and Cynthia were founding parish members of MQoP, where Cynthia taught Sunday School and served as a Special Minister of the Eucharist.

Primarily a mother and homemaker, Cynthia was always an active community member and volunteered extensively throughout her life. She served as a docent at New Orleans Museum of Art for 10 years and was the Lead Docent for the “Treasures of Tutankhamun” exhibit. Cynthia was well-versed in New Orleans history and worked for a time as a New Orleans tour guide. Chuck and Cynthia moved to the North Shore of Lake Pontchartrain in 1988, where Cynthia established the docent program for the Discovery Center, St. Tammany Art Association’s Children’s Education Program. Later, she helped develop Camp Courage, the therapeutic art program for the Slidell/St. Tammany hospice bereavement camp, for children ages 7 – 12. She attended the Leadership St. Tammany West and graduated in the class of 1998. Afterwards, Cynthia got involved in the St. Tammany New Directions 2025, Natural Hazards Focus Group. She served in this group for 10 years, beginning in 1998, and was Chair from 2001 to 2005. Cynthia was an avid gardener with a remarkable green thumb. She was active in various garden clubs where she shared her gardening and flower arranging talents. In 2007, Cynthia earned her Master Gardener certification from the LSU Agricultural Center.

Cynthia and Chuck travelled extensively throughout North America, Canada, Central America, Eastern and Western Europe, and the Caribbean. They often travelled with groups of friends. Cynthia always found time for friends and family and kept an active social schedule. She was well known for hosting and co-hosting parties and events. She put these skills to good use in planning Holy Name of Jesus class of 1956 reunions, most notable the 2006, 50-year class reunion. Cynthia first developed symptoms of Alzheimer’s in 2010. She remained socially active until the advancing disease curtailed these activities. It eventually became necessary for the couple to move to Macon, GA, where their daughter, Debbie, and son-in-law, Bowden, cared for them. Cynthia is survived by her children, Robin, Debbie (Bowden), and Scott (Laura), as well as her four grandchildren, Davis (Caroline), Matt, Lindsey, and Grace. Chuck preceded Cynthia in death on October 1, 2019. They are once again together, in heaven.

The family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation to Darlene Wagner Creel, Angela Neal, and the skilled nursing staff at Carlyle Place, who provided such loving care and assistance in the final years of Cynthia’s life. En lieu of flowers, gifts in Cynthia’s name can be made to the New Orleans Museum of Art. Donation information may be found at https://noma.org/shop/donation/. A memorial will be planned and held in New Orleans when it is safe for family and friends to gather.