Cynthia Topek

Cynthia H. Topek passed away on Monday morning, September 24, 2018 at the age of 91 years in Houston, Texas. She was married to Nathan H. Topek & widowed in February of this year. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Thomas Churton. Cynthia is survived by her only son, Kevin Topek, daughter-in-law Mindy Vanderford, grandson Jael Topek, his spouse Lisa Rosewall, granddaughter Althea Topek & her spouse Brian Boyajian. She also has family in the UK, sister-in-law Pat Churton, nephew Tony Churton, niece Susan Voller, and nieces Debbie Taylor & Janice Pierce-Jones.Cynthia Hawkesford Churton was born to Nellie and Thomas Churton on March 12, 1927 in St Blazey, Cornwall, UK. Having lost both her parents at a young age, she grew up with Elsie & Arthur Hawkesford in Leicester, England during the Second World War. She emigrated to the United States after the War and settled in Detroit, Michigan in 1946. There she worked for General Electric as a product demonstrator. By 1952, Cynthia moved to Houston, Texas. She returned to Detroit shortly thereafter to complete her citizenship process, seven years after emigrating to the States.Cynthia met Nathan H Topek at the St. Patrick’s Day dance at Temple Emanu El in 1956. They were married on Bastille Day, July 14, 1957 at the home of Marcus Rosenstein in Northbrook, Illinois. Cynthia and Nathan were married for over 60 years, until his passing on February 5, 2018. They built their dream home in 1960 at 12610 Boheme Dr, Houston, Texas on the outskirts of the Memorial neighborhood. They lived in Houston until 2006 when they moved to Georgetown, Texas.Cynthia worked as an accountant prior to giving birth to Kevin. She then dedicated herself to raising her son & homemaking. By the early 1970’s she became interested in investing in the stock market. She threw herself into her passion and eventually expanded into real estate, oil & gas. She remained on top of her investments and current affairs until her dying day.Cynthia loved all animals. She fed birds, squirrels, racoons, opossums, foxes, and turkeys at her homes. She also searched out wildlife in other locales, bringing them to her with her gentle nature and tasty edible treats. She contributed to many animal rescue charities. She wanted the world to know that she loved all animals and they loved her in return.Cynthia had an adventurous life. She travelled the United States extensively. Her favorite spots were Yellowstone National Park & the Grand Tetons where she & Nathan honeymooned. She travelled in Europe and the UK along with visiting China & Japan in the 1970’s. She was an amateur geologist and collected rocks and petrified wood. She loved southwest Colorado with its wildflowers & the coast of Oregon where she reveled in collecting carved wooden bears.A Graveside Service will take place Friday, October 5, 2018 at 10:00 in the morning, in Glenwood Cemetery, 2525 Washington Ave, Houston, TX 77007. Rabbi Walter will officiate.Cynthia requested that all donations be given to a no-kill animal rescue shelter of your choice.  (Please, no flowers)She will be remembered as a beautiful, loving person with an iron will. She survived the horrors of war and remade herself as a true Texan. She always said that, “Destiny steps in.” Cynthia proved that.