Cynthia K. Durkee

Cynthia K. Durkee, of Ypsilanti and formerly of Tecumseh, died August 23, 2024, in Ypsilanti at age 73.  Cynthia was born on August 18, 1951, in Jackson, Mich., the daughter of Royce and Betty (Wescott) Durkee. She was preceded in death by her parents. 

 
Members of her family include her children, Brooke Campbell (Ross Hennen) and Tayor Hawkins; her brothers, Rick (Sue) and Scott (Lora) Durkee; as well her nieces, Megen, Sarah, Erin, Kendra, their spouses, and children.

She was raised in Tecumseh and graduated from Tecumseh High School in 1969. She lived in Minneapolis and then in Washington, D.C. where she did administrative work for the FBI and was proud to say she had her own FBI file. She returned to Tecumseh and married Joe Unverferth, with whom she had their daughter Brooke. She enjoyed spending time with her friends and family, going to concerts, and spending time in the summer at her parents’ summer cottage in Marblehead, Ohio —  and loved riding roller coasters at Cedar Point.  

In 1983 she married John Hawkins with whom she had their son Taylor. Brooke and Taylor would like you to know that while they had fathers, their mother was an amazing single mom who did everything she could for her kids with little to no support from her children’s fathers — and should be given that recognition and praise. 

Cynthia began working for Washtenaw County in 1986, moving into their Community Mental Health Division in 1988.  She served as a reimbursement specialist and assisted many clients in determining and applying for benefits to help them live healthy and independent lives.  It was not uncommon for Cynthia to encounter a grateful client if she was out in Ann Arbor or Ypsilanti. She moved to Ypsilanti in 2012 and enjoyed spending more time with friends and going to concerts.  Cynthia retired from Washtenaw County Mental Health Department in 2018 after 38 years of service. She had been named the Employee of the Year for her service there, as well as other citations. 

 
A lifelong reader, she became enchanted with Scotland via Diana Gabaldon’s writing and traveled there on a trip of a lifetime in 2005. She was especially excited to see her favorite fiddle player, Alasdair Fraser, in concert (one of many many times) on his home turf.  Her kids know she would want you to seek out his work as while she was a major musical child of the 60s and 70s, it was the traditional fiddle music of Scotland that was a great passion in her later life.

Cremation has taken place and a celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, Sept. 14 from 12–3 p.m., at one of her favorite places, the Ypsi Alehouse in Ypsilanti.  All who would like to come and raise a glass and share your remembrances are welcome.