MANCHESTER — Cynthia Doris Sexton, 63, died Wednesday, Oct. 5, at her home, following a long courageous battle with cancer.

She was born in Rumford, Oct. 17, 1947, a daughter of the late Francis and Doris (Locke) Putnam of Rumford. Cyndy was a graduate of Stephens High School in Rumford, Class of 1965, and the University of Maine at Orono, with a bachelor’s degree in education in 1969.

As a caring and dedicated teacher, she was an inspiration to her students at Winthrop Grade School for 32 years. In retirement, Cyndy continued her passion of teaching by founding Beads on the Kennebec in downtown Augusta, where she guided her patrons to the path of creativity, making beaded jewelry.

She was an engaged and devoted wife, daughter and grandmother. Cyndy, her husband and her two daughters enjoyed summers sailing at Cobbossee and Androscoggin lakes and skiing at Sugarloaf Mountain in the winter. Aidan, her grandson, was her shining star and they enjoyed piloting paper airplanes and engineering toy railroads in the sunroom.

She is survived by her husband of 36 years, John Joseph Sexton of Manchester; two daughters, Mary Ellen Guimond and her husband, Jeremy, of Manchester and Julie Anna Sexton and her significant other, Douglas Guerette, of Winthrop; a brother, Steven Putnam and his wife, Christine and their children, Mary Katherine and Francis, all of Pasadena, Md.; a sister, Elizabeth Putnam of Rumford; a grandson, Aidan Guimond of Manchester; an uncle, Percy “Stewart” Locke of Schenectady, N.Y.; and several cousins, including a special cousin, Doris Locke Weinbaum of San Clemente, Calif.

Condolences may be expressed via the funeral home website: www.plummerfh.com.