Cynthia (Gonda) Kelly

Cynthia Gonda Kelly, 52, Indiana, died Sunday, April 28, 2013, at Beacon Ridge in Indiana. The daughter of William and Patricia Battick Gonda, Cindy was born July 23, 1960 in Indiana. To those who knew and loved her, describing Cindy in just a few words would be impossible. She was fun-loving, outgoing, and witty, a master storyteller. She was hardworking, trustworthy and loyal. She was caring, compassionate and selfless, always the first to volunteer to help. To her family, clients, work associates, and countless others, Cindy was a "best friend." A 1978 graduate of Homer-Center High School and 1980 graduate of the Pittsburgh Beauty Academy, Cindy was a longtime hair stylist in the Indiana area as a partner in Evolutions Salon and, prior to that, The Shear Zone. She was a breast cancer survivor and volunteered her time and talents to the service efforts of the American Cancer Society and the Indiana Moose Lodge. Cindy is survived by her husband, Steve Kelly, of Indiana, her son, David Gonda and partner Jonathan Telfer of Columbus, Ohio, and her father, William Gonda, and wife Patricia Shandick Gonda of Homer City. She is further survived by three sisters, Patty Drew and partner Nick Bernat, Laurie Gonda and Jennifer English, all of Indiana, and by two brothers, Bill Gonda and partner Allen Bonace of Erie and Joe Gonda and partner Linda Krecota of Homer City. Also surviving are Steve's family, including his mother, Shirley Kelly, of Indiana, his brother and sister-in-law, Michael Kelly and Annette Harris of Suffolk, Va., and his sister, Kathleen Hoffman of Santa Ana, Calif. Loved ones also include her nephews and nieces, Kenny and Maria Drew and their children, Max and Alexa, of Shelocta; Chelsea Drew and her sons, Carter, Elliot and Sawyer, of Shelocta; Michael (who was also Cindy's godson) and Chloe Drew and their daughter, Madelyn, of Indiana, and Lilly English, along with her father, Ben English, of Indiana. Also surviving are step-siblings, Kim Bellar, Christine McDowell, Kathy Forsythe, Karen Shandick and Michael Kanaba as well as numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. In addition to her mother, Cindy was preceded in death by a nephew, Jason Drew, as well as maternal grandparents Harry and Margaret Battick and John and Mary Gonda. Friends will be received Wednesday from 9AM until time of funeral service at noon at the C. Frederick Bowser Funeral Home, Homer City. Interment will be in the St. Louis Cemetery, Lucernemines. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Cindy's memory may be made to the Jason Drew Fund, benefitting the sons of her nephew, payable to American Funds, c/o S&T Bank, Attention William Simmons, 800 Philadelphia St., Indiana, PA 15701.