Cynthia Joan Irwin Obituary

Cynthia Joan Irwin
Died Dec. 27, 2003

WEIRTON – Cynthia Joan Irwin, 53, died suddenly Saturday, Dec. 27, 2003, at Weirton Medical Center.
She was born in Steubenville Jan. 14, 1950, a daughter of Clarence Kester and his wife, Dorothy, of Florida and the late Virginia Call Kester.
Cindy started dancing at the age of 2 with bill Cassidy. In 2002 she celebrated 50 years of dance. She and her husband, Rich are the co-owners of Kester’s School of Dance in Weirton and Newell. Kester’s School of Dance was established in September 1964 in Weirton by Clarence and the late Virginia L. Kester. Upon the retirement of Cindy’s parents, the business was turned over to Cindy and Rich.
Cindy studied in New York with June Taylor, Marilyn Taylor (wife of the late Jackie Gleason), Luigi, Charles Kelly, the Hoctors, and the Stones to name a few. Cindy spent many summers in New York studying all types of dance. AT the age of 14 she was given a choice of living in New York and pursuing a career in dance or opening a dance studio locally under the direction of her parents. She chose to remain at home and finish her education.
Cindy was the director of Kester’s Cruise Kids who have performed n many cruise ships and island internationally. She waa a contest director, Judge and instructor with the National Baton Twirling Association. She taught and judged band camps and majorettes. Among Cindy’s students’ performances are performing at the Giants Stadium for the Kick-Off Classic, on the USS Bermuda, USS Costa Rivera and the USS Norwegian Majesty. She and her students have given a command performance on Diamond Head Beach in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Rich and Cindy are also directors of the Cynthia :K” Hi-Steppers exhibition and show corps. The twilers have performed for the W.VA. State Forest Festival, the Strawberry and Buskwheat Festivals, and at State and National Competitions at Notre Dame. Cindy was also a director ot eh Youth Bowling Association.
Cindy was teaching second-generation dancers and in some cases, third generation dancers. He enjoyed reminiscing with the moms of her students who danced and raveled with her and he family throughout the years. No matter how old her students became, they were still her kids, and she took great pride in claiming them as hers.
Besides her father and step mother, she is survived by her husband, Richard Irwin, whom she married July 3, 1971,a son, Richie Irwin of Weirton; a brother, Randy Kester and his wife, Susan of New Brighton, Pa.; and two grandsons, Tyler and Michael.
Besides her mother, she was preceded in death by two brothers.
Rev/ Betty M. Shaw will conduct the services at 11 a. m. Wednesday at the Steel & Wolfe Funeral Home Inc. Burial will e in St. Paul Cemetery.
Visitation is from 2 to 4and 7 to 9 p.m. today.