Cynthia Gay Robertson Kirchhoff

            Cynthia Gay Robertson Kirchhoff, age 54, of Medfield, passed away on Monday, January 31, 2022.

            Born in Wareham, MA, July 13, 1967, she was the daughter of the late James Drummond Robertson (1995) and the late Mary Teresa (Athy) Robertson (2003), and raised in Mattapoisett, MA.

            She spent her summers attending Camp Snipatuit in Rochester, first as a camper learning all things offered, and continued serving as a counselor-in-training, unit counselor, and after earning her Water Safety Instructor certificate, she became the Waterfront and Boating Director. Cynthia could also be found at her beloved Ned’s Point Lighthouse in Mattapoisett for its beauty and sentimental significance as one of her mother’s favorite places.

            Cynthia graduated from Bishop Stang High School, class of 1985. She received a BA in Psychology/Liberal Arts from Saint Michael’s College in New Hampshire, class of 1989, spending a semester abroad in Cannes, France. She continued her studies at Bridgewater State College and received her Masters in Elementary Education from Lesley College, class of 1992. She had a keen interest in international cultures and taught English as a second language in Japan for two years. While in Japan, she walked a lot and continued that passion when she returned to the U.S.

            Cynthia’s love of education and research led her to work as an ESOL Orientation Teacher and an Educational Consultant in Tallahassee, FL, as well as an Educational Program Specialist for University of North Carolina, Greensboro (SERVE). Her proudest years were advocating for her own children and working with the Medfield and Sherborn public schools.

            She married the love of her life, Georg Eric Kirchhoff, who shared her zeal for nature and the outdoors, her devotion to fitness – be it at the beach or hiking and mountain climbing in NH. She loved swimming, tennis, walking, camping, singing, and especially animals and gardens. Her most recent hobby was learning to play the fiddle.

            Cynthia dedicated her life to the happiness of her two children, Carl James (15) and Maira Lucile Kirchhoff (13), helping them to achieve their fullest potential as their fiercest advocate. Cynthia and Maira had flower sales which helped connect them to the neighborhood and share her joy for home and community gardening.

            Cynthia’s greatest gift was her ability to network, to connect people, and to make lifelong friends. She was a loyal and generous friend and wanted everyone included all the time! She helped so many other moms who said they did not know what they would have done without her.

            She loved meeting with family and friends, buying takeout food and then swimming, flying kites at Ned’s Point, and buying ice cream on the way home. She was an active supporter of environmental and worthy causes such as Save Buzzards Bay and swam for the annual Save Buzzards Bay fundraiser. She also supported the arts, Mass Audubon and Massachusetts Horticulture Societies.

            Cynthia is survived by her husband Georg Eric Kirchhoff, her son Carl Kirchhoff and daughter Maira Kirchhoff. She leaves three surviving siblings, Bruce Robertson of Mattapoisett, Scott Robertson (Rebecca), South Dartmouth, and Mark Robertson (Debra Vieira), Mattapoisett; her father-law William E. and her mother-in-law Carole A. Kirchhoff, Sanford, FL; and Elizabeth & Douglas Leatham, Marion (Carl & Maira’s Omi & Opi). Cynthia leaves numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and a godchild: Shayne Ball, Luke Robertson, Trevor and Lyndsay Robertson, Robbie & Daniel Southerland, Aislinn & Leah Robertson, Rachael Robertson, Archer & Langden Ball, and Peter R. Marusek (godchild). Predeceasing her, her brother James D. Robertson, Jr. (1989), sister Suzanne B. Robertson (2019), and family’s best friend Dr. Amy A. Gracia, Ed.D. (2020).

            Special gratitude to Medfield neighbors, family friends, and others who have helped the family so much through the past year.

            A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.

            Gifts in her memory may be made to a scholarship endowment at Mass Audubon in her name:

Mass Audubon’s Donation Instructions for Cynthia’s Endowed Camp Scholarship

• Click this link:

https://web.massaudubon.org/site/Donation2?df_id=3069&mfc_pref=T&3069.donation=form1

• Select donation amount

• Click “Direct My Gift,” Scroll down to Broadmoor, Natick

• Honoree Information – Scroll down to “In Memory of,” Type in Cynthia Kirchhoff

• Skip “Person to Notify” and “Message for Next of Kin”

• Fill in Bill and Payment Information

• Click donate

            If you wish to write a check, address it to Mass Audubon, Development Office, 208 South Grant Road, Lincoln, MA 01773. Write the check out to Mass Audubon, and note that it is for the Cynthia Kirchhoff Endowed Camper Scholarship, Broadmoor, Natick, MA

Arrangements are with the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Road (Route 6), Mattapoisett, www.saundersdwyer.com.