Dying woman raises $36K for local causes, spreads message of hope

“Tomorrow is promised to no one, so you have to make today a masterpiece.”

That’s just one of many empowering messages Cindy Parniak has been sharing with the community as her fulfilling chapter in this life nears its end.

At 68 years of age, the long-time Sault Ste. Marie realtor and home renovator was given just several months to live when she was told her cancer was terminal last September.

Now expected to pass soon, Parniak agreed to an interview with SooToday inside her Queen Street home alongside a roundtable of loved ones, co-workers, and friends.

Amid a variety of health challenges in recent years, the mother and grandmother of two discovered her faith in God during the pandemic and has become an active member with Gateway Community Church.

“When you surrender to the Lord, magic happens,” she said. “I’m getting to live in my death in such a miraculous way that I don’t waste any minute of the day to do what I’m supposed to do. I can sit and crawl in the hole and be sad – no, that’s not me. I’m going to gather everybody up and have a party.”

Last month, colleagues at Royal LePage Nothern Advantage, among others, came together to organize a fundraiser called “Raise the Roof” at the Machine Shop in support of two causes close to Parniak’s heart.

The event, which included dinner, dancing, and a live auction, sold 400 tickets in a matter of a days.

“All you had to do was mention Cindy’s name and they said: ‘I’m in,’” Parniak’s older sister Sandy Soule said. “She’s always had a spark, even as a child. She gets stuff done.”

“Everybody pulled together because of their love for Cindy,” added Trishia Crema, a colleague and friend of Parniak’s. “She has touched so many different people in our community in so many different ways.”

Raise the Roof lived up to its name as supporters raised more than $36,000. The donations were evenly split between Parniak’s church and ARCH Hospice.

“It was on my bucket list to raise money for my church roof that is in need of replacement,” she said. “This is just a building, but it is important to me because this is where I found Jesus.”

“With ARCH, I was overwhelmed with the service and support these angels give. So, it is equally important to raise money and pay my rent in advance,” she laughed. “These are two great causes that I hold dear to my heart.”

Perhaps most noteworthy from the evening was Parniak’s speech, which included messages of hope, miracles, and peace in death.

“People need to hear the message of hope, because we’re all dying,” she said. “When people resist death, it makes it so much harder on them. You miss out on all the joys that’s right in front of you. If we can accept our death and prepare for it, then we can fully live today. Death is not morbid.”

Julie Premo, operations manager at ARCH, told SooToday that Parniak has set the standard when it comes to enjoying life while death is knocking.

“The benefit of knowing that you’re going to die is it forces you to choose how you’re going to live,” she said. “We don’t talk about dying enough in society. Our job is so easy when we meet people like Cindy who are fully awake in their human experience.”

“Her message is what we’ve been trying to convey from the moment we walked in the door at ARCH,” she added. “That’s our deep hope for every single person on this planet.”

An avid gardener, painter, and home renovator, Parniak has a particularly close and special relationship with her only granddaughter Madison.

Colleagues described their connection as “palpable” during SooToday’s interview this week, with a love that could be summed up by the beauty and simplicity of a yellow rose.

“The yellow rose was a symbol of our everlasting love ever since I was born,” Madison explained. “Every year on my birthday, no matter where I was in the world, my grandma would send me as many roses as my age that year. Even one year while I was up in the mountains in B.C. in the middle of nowhere with no address. I don’t know how she found it.”

That “stubborn but compassionate, fearless but creative” attitude is what close friends like Gina Cavaliere have also come to appreciate over the years.

“I’ve always felt being with Cindy is therapy,” she said. “You can be down, but how many laughs have we had? I find it therapeutic.”

Struggling to catch her breath and unable to move around as much as she’d like to, a transition to ARCH appears imminent.

But Parniak is still sharing laughs with those closest to her while reminiscing on a life well spent.

She even closed a deal on Essex Lane yesterday.

“To have love and support, that’s the true richness,” she said. “I’m not sad at all. I’m happy. I’m spoiled beyond.”

“Never miss an opportunity to elevate somebody. Because as we go through our life, it can be hard. Stop and take a minute and buy someone a coffee, say how nice they look, have a laugh, and just enjoy the day. Be present.”

“And if you believe in something, whatever it is – try,” she concluded. “And if you fail, which I’ve failed lots, then try again. You have to live today.”

Sandy Soule, a proud older sister, is currently running a fundraiser entitled "The Living Story" in honour of Parniak.

Dedicated to the life of Parniak and her passion for nature, Cliffe Printing has helped Soule assemble packages of eight blank greeting cards that feature photos of flowers from her sister's garden on the front.

A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Parniak's two favourite charities. Interested donors can contact Soule by emailing [email protected].