Cynthia Elaine (May) Trupka

Cynthia Elaine Trupka, known to her loved ones as Cindy, passed away on December 14, 2023, at the age of 66, in Shawnee, Kansas.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that contributions be made to The Family Conservancy of Kansas City in Cindy's memory.

She was born on January 11, 1957, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Edgar Ronald May and Edith Rose May (Morgan) Litto. After spending her childhood moving with her family to Philadelphia, PA; Tampa, FL; and Saugerties, NY, Cindy graduated from Shawnee Mission North High School in 1974. She then pursued her higher education at Kansas State University, earning a Bachelor's degree in Family & Child Development and a Masters degree in Family Life Education in 1980.

Cindy met her husband Dennis at his first freshman party at State. The following school year, they were by chance rooming on the same dormitory floor. Cindy heard the sounds of Dennis constructing a loft bed in his room, and she asked him to help her cut a board for stabilizing a piece of furniture in her room. They were married November 1, 1980 at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Shawnee, Kansas.

Cindy was the most caring and giving wife, mother, Grandma/Gaga, aunt, cousin, and friend. She had a heart of gold and her greatest joy was caring for others before herself, including family, friends, strangers, anyone in need, and pets. Many will remember her knack for building relationships through giving, especially her famous 40+ flavors of Christmas fudge, and she never missed an opportunity to show support for her grandkids in their activities and sports. Cindy enjoyed traveling and was able to complete her dream trip to the Baltic in 2019, including visiting the Scandinavian countries and St. Petersburg, Russia.

Cindy dedicated her professional life to coaching and teaching early childhood educators, including many years serving under-served communities in Kansas City. Throughout her life, Cindy was actively involved in her community. She poured her heart into her career at service organizations, like Catholic Charities, Project Eagle, and the Francis Institute at Metropolitan Community College. She served on the board of Wonderscope Children’s Museum for several years. She led a Girl Scout troop for her daughter from Daisies through Gold Award. She actively supported both her sons in their Boy Scouting journey through Eagle Scout rank. Her famous big yellow bowl of party mix was a staple at all scout campouts. She found solace and strength in her faith and was a member of St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Mission, Kansas, and taught Sunday school there for several years.

Cindy is survived by her loving husband, Dennis James Trupka, her siblings Gregory May (Gigi Lozano) and Leah Katherine May, her children Brittany (Doug) Winnike, A. Tristan (Jenny) Trupka, and Brennan (Kristy) Trupka, as well as her six cherished grandchildren Elliot, Gideon, Wilder, and Serena Winnike (Brittany & Doug) and Drake and Emma Trupka (Tristan & Jenny).

Cindy was preceded in death by her father Edgar May, mother Edith Litto, brother Eric May, and parents-in-law Edward & Mary Trupka.

A visitation will be held on Monday, December 18, 2023 from 6-8pm at the Amos Family Funeral Home in Shawnee, Kansas. A memorial service will be held at 10am on Tuesday, December 19, 2023 at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Mission, Kansas.