APMS Students Remember Beloved Teacher

Tears flowed, but fond memories of a teacher, friend and mother lifted spirits Friday afternoon as Avon Park Middle School teachers and students remembered Cynthia "Cindy" Dwyer.

"Her life definitely mattered to each and every one of us," teacher Ronda Stunkard said to the gathering of teachers, eighth-graders and district office administrators in the school's commons.

Dwyer, 58, who was a reading teacher, became ill at school Wednesday and was taken to Florida Hospital Heartland Division for treatment. Aeromed transported her to Tampa General Hospital where she died from a massive stroke.

She would want you to bury yourself in a book, Dwyer's daughter, Meghan Dwyer, said to console the students.

"My mom would have wanted you to follow your dream," and not let anything hold you back, Meghan said. "Thank you for making the last few years of my mother's life enjoyable.

"I'm only 25 years old, but I want to grow up to be just like my mom."

The school's chorus sang "Lean on Me," and two students presented a large card with numerous signatures to Meghan and Dwyer's mother, Shirley Stevens.

About a dozen students, some struggling with emotion, read brief remembrances and poems they wrote about Dwyer.

"Saying goodbye is never easy; it is the hardest thing to do," student Alisha Singh said. "But what hurts me more is not having the chance to say it to you.

"So today, Jesus, if you are listening in your home above, could you go and find Ms. Dwyer and give her all my love."

A Celebration of Cindy Dwyer's Life will take place 3-6 p.m., Monday, at the Highlands Little Theatre, located in the Altvater Cultural Complex, 356 W. Center Ave., Sebring, Florida.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Cindy Dwyer Memorial Fund at Heartland National Bank. Donations may also be made in person at Monday's service.