Obituary: Cindy A. Persell

A close friend of Cindy Persell, Janelle Roring, described Persell as "a wonderful, genuine, kind, giving person."

Over 500 people attended a benefit in Persell's name on Sat. Dec. 8, estimated Roring, who organized the benefit. The fundraiser included a silent and live auction with a total of almost 400 items and services, which helped surpass by more than $5,000 the fundraising goal of $15,000.

"Sadly Cindy wasn’t able to make it to the benefit," Roring said in an email to Patch.

Persell passed away Sunday afternoon. 

See her obituary below, provided by McNearney Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

Cindy A. Persell, age 52, of Burnsville, with her family at her side, died on Sunday, December 9, 2012, at Fairview Ridges Hospital in Burnsville. Cindy had a 45 day battle with lung cancer.

Cindy was born on September 9, 1960 in Graceville, MN to Lawrence and Adeline (Schmidt) Taffe. The second of four daughters. Cindy attended and graduated from Graceville Public Schools in 1978. She attended Willmar Vo-Tech where she received her cosmetology degree. She married Steven John Persell September 6, 1986 at Holy Rosary Church in Graceville, MN. They built their home in Burnsville, MN and their family was complete when Sadie Rose was born in 1996. She was a mentor to Sadie,  and they shared an incredible bond.

Cindy was a hair stylist at Lucarelli's hair studio in Shakopee, before purchasing the salon in 1987, now known as Persell’s Hair Team. She was a skilled stylist, always keeping up with the latest trends. She took great pride in making people look and feel beautiful. She considered her clients her friends.

Cindy had sparkling brown eyes, a beautiful smile and a contagious laugh. She independently studied organic nutrition and spiritual healing. Cindy loved to entertain her family and friends and could always be found in the kitchen trying out a new recipe. She was a 'giver'. She enjoyed trips to Mexico and Duluth with Steve and Sadie. The ocean, bon-fires, camping, reading, road trips with her sisters, meditation and long walks.

Survived by loving husband, Steve; daughter, Sadie; mother, Addie Taffe; sisters, Mary (Mike) Andrews, Janette (Randy) Sigler, Lisa Kateley and friend, John Rafuse; mother-in-law, Jackie Persell; father-in-law, Dewey Persell; sisters-in-law, Kathi Durkee and Karen Persell; nieces and nephews, Lindsay, Megan, Rani, Kristofor, Jessi, Brian, Allyson; beloved pet dog, Lucy. Preceded by father, Larry Taffe; grandparents, James and Rose Taffe, Joe and Matilda Schmidt; several aunts and uncles; beloved pet dog, Hattie.

'The love that's been expressed towards Cindy, especially when this struggle began, is a mirror reflection of the love that she put in to this world.'

Services

The funeral service will be held on Friday, December 14, 2012, 2:00 PM, at Unity of the Valley Spiritual Center, 4011 West Highway 13, Savage. Private interment will be held at a later date.

Visitation

Visitation is Thursday from 4-8 PM at McNearney Funeral Home, 1220 East Third Avenue, Shakopee. Visitation will also be held on Friday from 1-2 PM at the church.

Memorials are preferred to the Angel Foundation-American Cancer Society.

(Information provided by McNearney Funeral Home and Cremation Services.)