Cynthia P. Smoke

AKWESASNE – Mrs. Cynthia P. “Cindy Bear” Terrance Smoke, 54, of 8 State Route 37, passed away on Saturday afternoon, February 12, 2011, surrounded by her family at Fletcher-Allen Medical Center, Burlington, where she had been admitted earlier in the day.

 Cindy was born on April 27, 1956 in Massena, the daughter of Sandra J. Diebow Terrance and the late Phillip B. Terrance.  She attended St. Regis Mohawk School, a Catholic School in Buffalo and graduated from Salmon River Central School in 1974.  She later attended Mater Dei College, Cazenovia, and SUNY Potsdam, where she graduated with a degree in journalism.   Cindy first married Kenneth Sharrow in 1974, which ended in divorce.  She later married John Allan Smoke, who predeceased her on January 20, 1992.

Cynthia owned and operated the original “Peoples Voice” newspaper for many years in Akwesasne.  She was an active community member and was always concerned about political views and cared about the future of Akwesasne.  She was also a board member of the Mohawk Tax Steering Committee and a representative of the Akwesasne Convenience Store Association.  She was a firm supporter of the Kaienkehaka Longhouse and Warrior Society.  She loved spending time with her grandchildren, often teaching them how to bake.  Cynthia enjoyed playing radio bingo, going to the Bingo Palace and the Casino.  She also enjoyed cooking, playing cards, board games, photography, and journalism.  She also enjoyed traveling, having traveled to Atlantic City, Las Vegas, and Florida.

Cynthia is survived by her two daughters, Olivia Lazore and her husband, Peter of Akwesasne and Jessie Ann Smoke and her companion, Alex Tarbell of Akwesasne; 3 grandchildren, Damien and Denver Lazore and Elsie J. Smoke, all of Akwesasne; and her mother, Sandra J. Terrance of Akwesasne.  She is also survived by her companion of 19 years, David Hall; her sister, Jessica Garrow and her husband, Dewey of Akwesasne; her brother, Phillip Terrance of Racquette Point; and two sisters-in-law, Tina and Mary Terrance, both of Akwesasne and several nieces and nephews.

Cynthia was predeceased by an infant son, Shawn Sharrow in 1975; her father, Phillip in 1970; her brother, Scott C. Terrance in 2006; her maternal grandmother, Jessie Diebow in 2008; her maternal grandfather, Thomas Diebow in 1967; and her paternal grandmother, Margaret Terrance Loran in 1978.

Friends may call at the home of her mother, Sandra, 30 Herne Road, Akwesasne, beginning Tuesday 2:00 PM until the time of the services.  Funeral Services will be held Thursday 11:00 AM at the home with Loran Thompson speaking.  Following cremation, burial will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery.  Arrangements are with the Donaldson Funeral Home, Massena.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing may consider the American Heart Association or the American Diabetes Foundation.