GUILDERLAND — Cynthia L. Weldon, the longtime head cook at Guilderland High School, was a vivacious woman with many interests.

She died peacefully on Wednesday, Jan. 18, surrounded by her loving family, after a short battle with cancer. She was 73.

She was born on March 8, 1949 to Ann and Harold Hallenbeck at Brady Maternity Hospital in Albany. 

“She was the loving wife of her late husband, Donald Weldon, whom she married on June 16th of 1988,” her family wrote in a tribute.

“Cynthia graduated from Guilderland High School in 1967,” her family wrote. “After taking time to create a family of her own, including having four rambunctious sons, she began working as a head cook for Guilderland High School from 1985 until she retired in 2012.

“She enjoyed and filled her free time with a plethora of activities such as line dancing, bocce ball, hanging out with her Roach City Vanners club, playing with her dogs, beating people at board games, gardening, spending time with her grandkids, and of course, laying in the pool.

“She was an avid New York sports team fan, especially the Yankees and the Jets. Her favorite music to listen to was classic country and doo-wop to which she loved to sing and dance along to.

“Cynthia was an amazing person and will be surely loved and missed by all who knew her.”

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Cynthia L. Weldon is survived by her siblings, Ted Bastiani and his wife, Jane; Connie DeBenedetti; Raul Bastiani Jr. and his wife, Janet; Linda Beliveau and her husband, Dan; and Annie Strawbridge and her husband, Richard.

She was the proud mother of David Wagoner Jr., who is married to Jennifer; Jonathan Wagoner, who is married to Domenica; and Charlie Wagoner, who is married to Nichole.

She loved her grandchildren who affectionately called her “Meme”: Kasey, Austin, Savannah (Scott), Alivia (Mark), Owen, Elizabeth, and James, as well as her step-grandchildren, Keyaura (James) and Jonathan.

She was able to experience the joy of great-grandchildren as well: Colton, Paisley, and Spencer, including step-great grandchildren, Harlan and Annalia Rae. She was also survived by many nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews. 

Her father, Harold Hallenbeck, and mother, Ann (née Raul) Bastiani, died before her, as did her siblings, Harold “Butch” Bastiani, Robin Clark, and Kathy Simmons; her son, Timothy Wagoner; and her brothers-in-law, Frank DeBenedetti and Bill Simmons.

Calling hours are on Friday, Jan. 27, from 5 to 7 p.m., with a Celebration of Life service to begin at 7 p.m. at New Comer Cremations and Funerals at 343 New Karner Road, Colonie New York 12205.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society, 3 Oakland Ave., Menands, NY 12204.