Cynthia Gillies

Cynthia Louise Maxson Gillies passed peacefully in her home on the day of our Lord, Sunday March 22, 2026 after a long battle with metastatic breast cancer.

She is survived by her beloved husband of 36 years, James V. Gillies; her sister Bonnie Percey, son Scott (Marley) Percey; sister Tammy Maxson, her sons Steve (Emily) and Matt (Emily) Laurenson; Brother Mike (Brianna) Maxson, and his son Jason Maxson. Sister-in-law Marie Dotson, her daughter Cherin (Jaeson) Miller; SIL Andrea (Bruce) Moore, her daughter Alisha and son Vincent Manthei; and a long list of cousins, great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her brother John Maxon and parents Michael and Barbara Maxson.

Cindy grew up in Fremont, Michigan on the Maxson Blueberry Family Farm. Her formative years on the farm taught her determination and grit; Cindy was a well-known polymath and mastered many subjects throughout her life, much to the astonishment of those around her.

She earned her B.S. from Michigan State University in 1977, followed by a Juris Doctorate from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 1983 and was a decades-long member of the American Bar Association. During law school she worked full time in the Michigan Supreme Court as a computer operator and legal publications editor.

While working as a solo private practitioner in the 1980’s, she added to her accolades by earning a real estate license. She soon became an accomplished business owner founding Red River Realty, Inc. which operated in Lansing for a number of years. Notably, Cindy also achieved an insurance license thereafter. She maintained membership in the Greater Lansing Board of Realtors, Michigan Association of Realtors, the Michigan Bar Association, and National Association of Realtors.

In her formative quest for knowledge, Cindy also taught herself to build and repair computers later in life. She was astute in researching family history and genealogy. She was an expert sewer and knitter, crafting hundreds of scarfs and blankets gifted to her loved ones. In her later years, she proudly crafted beautiful rosaries, and was a faithful lifelong member of St. Mary’s Cathedral in Lansing.

Cindy and her husband Jim also devoted many years to rescuing and re-homing cats, and successfully provided better lives for countless animals. They loved to bike ride and travel together, and Cindy even dabbled in hunting alongside her husband, who is himself an avid and accomplished hunter.

Cindy will be remembered for her kindness, faith, love for her Lord, family, and kitties; her memory will endure with the many friends and family that loved her and were in awe of her, as she remained humble, thoughtful, and dedicated to others, despite her long list of professional accomplishments.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, March 31st, 2026. 

Close friends and family will be welcomed at 9am with a formal service to follow at 10am, followed by a luncheon:
St. Mary's Cathedral
219 Seymour Ave.
Lansing, MI 48933