Cynthia Jo Mucha Jenkins passed away September 6, 2016 at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, OH after a short illness. She was born April 14, 1937 in Portsmouth, Ohio to Andrew J. Mucha and Katherine Purdy Mucha.

Surviving Cynthia is her husband of 57 years, Gerald R. Jenkins of Portsmouth who she married in December of 1958; one daughter, Emily K. Lauder, a son-in-law, Ronald J. Lauder, Jr., a granddaughter, Caroline N. Lauder, all of Frisco, TX; and one grandson, Landon H. Lauder of Louisville, KY. Cynthia was preceded in death by her loving parents and son, Nathan A. Jenkins, who passed away in 1986.

She graduated from Portsmouth East High School as the class salutatorian in 1955. She then went on to graduate with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from Ohio University in Athens, OH.

Cynthia was fortunate to teach for 32 years in the Portsmouth City School system at Lindsay and Harding Elementary Schools. She had attended Harding during her elementary school days.

She was a lifelong member of the Sciotoville United Methodist Church/Christ United Methodist Church. During her lifelong membership she was a Sunday school teacher and a member of the Rebekah Circle and Pastor Parish Council.

Following her retirement, Cynthia served as a volunteer for the Friends of Southern Ohio Medical Center (SOMC) and as a chairperson of the annual Holly Days Gala. She was a current member of the Shawnee State University Foundation Board, serving on the Policy Committee, as well as a past Vice President and President of the Foundation Board of Directors.

Cynthia and Gerald loved traveling the world with their dear friends Jim and Shirley Hibbitts and daughter Emily and granddaughter Caroline.

Visitation will be held Friday, September 9, 2016 at Christ United Methodist Church in Sciotoville from 12 – 2 p.m. followed by a memorial service at 2:00 p.m. with Pastors John Richards and Sally Schisler officiating. A private burial service will be held on Saturday, September 10th at Memorial Burial Park in Wheelersburg. Online condolences may be left at www.WolfeNelsonFuneralHome.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to Christ United Methodist Church or the Scioto Foundation UCAN Project.