Cynthia Parke Beukema of Minneapolis passed away September 14 after a long illness. Born into a Naval family in Portsmouth, VA on September 5, 1947, Cindy grew up where her father's career took the family, from Norfolk, VA to Newport, RI, London, Saigon, and Washington DC. She spent her high-school years as a boarding student at St. Catherine’s School in Richmond, VA, where she made many lifelong friends. She earned an associates degree from Mt. Vernon Junior College in Washington, D.C., and graduated from Heidelberg College in Tiffin, OH with a BA in theater arts before moving back to Washington, where she met John Beukema, then a JAG lawyer with the Navy. They married in 1974 and moved to Minneapolis to start their life together.
Cindy was a consummate homemaker and skilled cook, but her creative passion was baking, especially pies, for family, friends, and church auctions. She loved to travel (especially cruising) and was an avid Scrabble player. Above all, though, she was a reader, and was never far from a book – usually a mystery.
Cindy gave her time generously, serving in the Junior League of Minneapolis; Sheltering Arms Foundation; the vestry, altar guild, and Wells Memorial Board at St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral; two Cub Scout packs; several Minneapolis Public School libraries; the Southwest HS College and Career Center; and the Alumnae Board at St. Catherine’s School. When her sons started college, she began what she always called her dream job, working part time at the Paperback Exchange in southwest Minneapolis. She continued at the PBE even into the COVID pandemic, until her health issues made it too difficult.
Cindy is preceded in death by her parents, Cdr. Everett A. and Margaret Rebok Parke, and her sister, Ellen Parke. She is survived by her husband of 52 years, John F. Beukema, her sons Fred (Melissa) and David Beukema, and grandchildren Max and Milo, all of Minneapolis.
A memorial service for Cindy will be held at St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral, 519 Oak Grove St., in Minneapolis [date and time to be confirmed very soon]. Attendees are encouraged to wear something red, which was Cindy’s favorite color and which she wore with great style. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to St. Catherine’s School, 6001 Grove Ave., Richmond, VA 23226, to the Altar Guild Fund at St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral, 519 Oak Grove Street, Minneapolis, MN 55403, or to an organization of the donor’s preference.
