Cynthia Marie Berend, 63, passed away Monday, July 3, 2017, in Graham. Cindy was born March 30, 1954 in Olney, to the late Vera Hoff and Edmund Joseph Conrady. She graduated from Windthorst High School, and received her bachelor's degree in education from Midwestern State University. She married her high school sweetheart, Mike Berend, on Nov. 25, 1972, in Windthorst. Cindy was a woman who loved God, family, friends and students, to the moon and back. Survivors include her husband , Mike Berend of Graham; daughter, Kasie and husband, Matt Fitzsimmons, of Murphy; sons, Denny and wife, Penny Berend, of Graham, Kyle and wife, Cameron Berend, of Graham, and Lee and wife, Shelby, of Wichita Falls; nine grandchildren, Madison Fitzsimmons, Reagan Fitzsimmons, Kylee Fitzsimmons, Hadley Berend, Max Berend, Casimir Berend, Camille Berend, Cannon Berend and Cree Berend; and 23 godchildren. She was preceded in death by her brother, Les Conrady. Services were held at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Graham on Friday, July 7, and burial followed at St. Mary's Cemetery in Windthorst. In lieu of flowers, please make memorials to Cindy Berend Memorial Scholarship "To the Moon" at Ciera Bank, 623 Elm St., Graham, TX 76450. We finally caught our breath for a minute and wanted to express our gratitude to all those who have helped, and are continuing to help, us through these trying times. The turnout for Mom’s search inspired a positive attitude in the family that kept us hopeful and grateful instead of overwhelmed, and we wish we could thank each volunteer individually, but things are becoming a blur, so we hope you all know how important it was for us to work together with all of you and struggle and hope for the best together. We hope exhausting ourselves and our efforts helps all of you as much as it did us, as we move through the process of grief. Our community suffered a big loss in Mom, too, but know that all of you did everything you could, in both her search and her life, to help her and us. You truly were as important to her as she made you feel. We especially want to thank the sheriff and staff, along with the troopers, officers, firemen and other responders, for directing the army of love. Your professionalism in the midst of emotion vs. protocol secured us in the feeling of competence and efficiency as compassionately as possible for such a large undertaking. Not once did any of us feel anger, impatience or frustration with any of the process; never more have we felt protected and served. To all those who kept the household running, and are continuing to do so, with food, drinks, clean-up, kid relief, etc., one of the reasons we haven’t been able to express our gratitude at length until now is because our hands and mouths have been full of food! It is amazing to experience the love returned as a large result of the love Mom sowed; such generosity has altered our perspectives moving forward on how to support grieving loved ones and neighbors, as the example you all set raises the bar for us when we are called upon to serve you later, and we hope you accept us then too.