Obituary of Cynthia Halsey Martin

Cynthia Halsey Martin, a beloved teacher at the Noroton Presbyterian Nursery School (NPNS) for 45 years before she retired in 2008 died January 6 in Norwalk. She was 79 years old. Cynthia joined the staff of the Noroton Presbyterian Nursery School in 1964 after several years as a teacher in New Canaan. Her talent for engaging the minds of the hundreds of four and five-year-olds she taught was widely recognized by her peers and lauded by 2 generations of parents in Darien. She received a Masters Degree in special education from Fairfield University mid-way through her career which allowed her to channel her already intuitive diagnostic skills and steer many children and their parents toward appropriate assessment and support. She was beloved for her creativity, for her love of the natural world, for the music she played every day for the children on the classroom piano, and so much more. Cynthia was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1933 and moved with her parents William and Grace Patton Hetzel and siblings to Rowayton, Conn in 1941. She attended Norwalk public schools and graduated from Bucknell University with a Bachelor's degree in Sociology. With her first husband Edward G. Halsey, IV she lived in Northern Japan for 2 years where he was stationed with the United States Army. She taught nursery school there to the enlisted men's children. They returned to Rowayton and together had 2 childrenGrace Anne Halsey, now of Stamford, and William Isaac Halsey, now of Norwalk. This marriage ended in divorce. Cynthia was re-married in 1969 and moved to Weston, CT. She continued to commute to Darien to teach at NPNS and in 1975 began a second job working afternoons and weekends for another venerable Darien institutionWheeler Real Estate (now Halstead Properties). She retired from her final role as the weekend office receptionist and gal Friday just 2 years ago after 36 years at the front desk. Cynthia moved back to Rowayton in 1981 after a second divorce where she lived happily on Farm Creek Road until moving to her son's house in Norwalk in 2009. There she enjoyed the companionship of her three grandchildren Hannah Rose, Brennah Elizabeth, and Gavin Isaac and the family cats until her passing. Cynthia was a talented seamstress and sewed everything from her children's summer clothing to wedding gowns. She did alterations for friends and family up until just recently. She was an avid gardener and for many years made jellies and pickles from the abundant produce in her Weston gardens. She adored the natural world, drew comfort and inspiration from its sights, sounds, flora, and fauna and to teach, to learn, and to delight. In addition to her 2 children, Cynthia is survived by her 2 sisters, Priscilla Van Lenten of Ridgefield, CT and Ceville Duckworth of Charlestown, Rhode Island, and her brother Peter Hetzel of Englewood, Florida. A memorial service will be held in the chapel at the Norton Presbyterian Church on Monday, January 14th at 1:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Noroton Presbyterian Church, Horton Scholarship Fund, 2011 Post Road, P. O. Box 3401, Darien, CT 06820 would be appreciated. Funeral Home: Edward Lawrence Funeral Home 2119 Post Road Darien, CT USA 06820