Cynthia Nanian Pierce, 79, died Sunday, April 2, 2017 at the Philip Hulitar Hospice Center in Providence, surrounded by family. She was the beloved wife and world-traveling partner of Richard H. Pierce, with whom she celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary this past September.
Born in Providence, a proud Armenian daughter of the late Karekin and Rose (Mooradian) Nanian, Cynthia lived in Cranston her entire life. A graduate of the Katharine Gibbs School in Providence, Cynthia worked as a secretary in the English Department at Brown University. She set aside her professional aspirations with the birth of her first child, and gracefully dedicated her life to diaper changes, brown-bagged lunches, and station wagon drives to hockey games. Active in her community, Cynthia served as an officer of the Daughters of Vartan, a trustee of the Auburn Library Association, and a busy member for many years at Phillips Memorial Baptist Church in Cranston. Cynthia loved to play tennis, bridge and golf, and treasured summers with her friends and family on the Cape in Chatham. A lifelong Cranstonian, Cynthia enjoyed her many travel experiences.
Cynthia will always be warmly remembered by her devoted husband Dick; her children Stacey Turner and husband Michael of Dedham, MA, Andrew "Drew" Pierce and wife Beth of Dedham, MA, and Hilary Pierce and husband Keir Beadling of San Francisco, CA; her big brother Kenneth Nanian of East Greenwich, and big sister Hope Meguerian of Lemont, Illinois. Cynthia's seven grandchildren will cherish the memory of red lipsticked cheeks kissed by their "Grandma" or "MiMa": Wilson, Mackenzie, and Bailey Turner; Aidan and Grady Pierce; and Maxwell and Everett Beadling.
The Pierce Family is grateful for Cynthia's wonderful caregivers, especially the staff of Miriam Hospital and of Hope Hospice.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a memorial service on Friday, April 7 at 3:00 p.m. at Phillips Memorial Baptist Church, 565 Pontiac Avenue, Cranston. A private Interment will be held at Mount Auburn Cemetery, in Cambridge.
In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make donations in her memory to: Miriam Hospital Foundation, PO Box H, Providence, RI 02901; to Hope Hospice & Palliative Care RI, 1085 North Main Street, Providence, RI 02904; to Armenia Tree Project, 65 Main Street, Watertown, MA 02472 or to Phillips Memorial Baptist Church, 565 Pontiac Avenue, Cranston, RI 02910. Condolences may be offered and memories shared at carpenterjenks.com
