LaCinda "Cinda" Dorrance

With a heart that beat to shape young lives, LaCinda Dorrance taught us that teaching is not so much about getting through material each day, but that it is truly a matter of the heart. She was outstanding in her field and recognized for her hard work and dedication, although it was the lives she touched in her community that shines brightest throughout her tapestry of time. Cinda embraced each and every day, taking in so much of what the world has to offer in the process as she travelled the world over. Although she could seem a bit tough on the outside, she truly had a heart of gold.

The beginning of the 1940s found our nation deeply entrenched in the throes of WWII and by the war’s end in 1945, it was a welcome sight. By the time 1947 dawned we had welcomed our servicemen and women back home and manufacturers were once again able to meet the demands of the American consumer. This year saw some of the most significant advances in technology with the development of the transistor and the mobile phone. This year was a year to remember for one young couple from Vicksburg, Michigan, since they were overjoyed to welcome a healthy baby girl into their hearts and home on September 5, 1947. LaCinda was ushered into the waiting arms of her parents, Hi and LaVon (Stephenson) Dorrance, and was the oldest of three children in her family including her siblings, Christine and Bill. Cinda, as she was most often known, was raised in Vicksburg where she attended local schools. Her high school years found her at Vicksburg High where she sang in the choir and was in several plays and musicals including The Music Man and Brigadoon. Also while she was in high school she worked at Doris Lee's Sweet Shop which she fondly remembered.

After graduating from high school in 1965 Cinda went on to Western Michigan University where she earned her B. M. in music education in 1969 and then her M. A. in counseling and personnel in 1979. Cinda continued to pursue her education throughout her life and was just credits shy from earning her Ed. P in K-12 administration when her health forced her to slow down before she was able to bring this dream to fruition. During her years in college Cinda learned to play the piano, clarinet, and French horn, and she also sang in the choir. It was also in college that she met and later married a young man named Daniel Cramer. Together they were blessed with their daughter, Dana, in 1971. Although their marriage later ended in divorce, their mutual love for their daughter allowed them to maintain a good friendship as the years went by.

It was easy to see that Cinda was a true teacher and counselor at heart. She worked as a music teacher at Vicksburg Public Schools for 17 years with her students ranging in age from sixth through twelfth grade. Cinda later left her classroom work behind and traded it in for administrative work, serving as the principal first for Climax-Scotts High School and then for Parchment High School. When she retired in the early part of the 2000s, Cinda went to work for Professional Contract Management, Inc. until her health forced her into early retirement. She won several professional awards in recognition of her dedication as both a teacher and a principal. In 1997 Cinda was recognized as MASC Center 7 Principal of the Year, in 1994 she was a finalist of the MASSP Outstanding High School Principal of the Year, and in both 1993 and 1997 she won the Outstanding Service Award. Her commendations didn’t end there, however, as in 1990 and 1993 she was awarded the Kalamazoo Excellence in Education Incentive Award for Excellence in Teaching, in 1988 Cinda was recognized as Kalamazoo Excellence in Education Significant Educator, and in 1983 she was teacher of the year for Vicksburg Community Schools.

Although much of her life was focused on her career, Cinda enjoyed so many things. She was a proud member Daughter of the American Revolution, which was something she enjoyed being active in with her mother. She was a world traveler whose destinations took her all over the globe including throughout much of the United States, Mexico, Southern Asia, and Europe. Cinda’s love of music naturally led to her love of theater and Broadway musicals, and she served as the stage manager at the local civic theater for a time. She was involved in the Phi Delta Kappa, a professional organization for educators, and enjoyed crocheting and sewing as well.

There were so many things that made Cinda such a unique woman who was dearly loved. She was a bit of a free spirit who never settled in one place too long as she moved frequently – much to the dismay of the movers who needed to move her piano every time! Those who knew Cinda knew that she was always right. In fact, she had a sign in her classroom that read, “ 1. The teacher is always right. 2. If the teacher is wrong see #1.” She was a strong and independent woman who could even have a bit of a stubborn streak at times. Despite her tough exterior at times, Cinda was a very compassionate woman, too.

Life was forever changed for Cinda and her loved ones when she was diagnosed with a form of dementia in 2002. The disease rapidly advanced for someone who was so young and by 2007 she required continuous care. Cinda then went to live at Brickford Cottage’s Memory Care Center where she passed away peacefully.

A teacher through and through, LaCinda Dorrance was a vibrant and fun loving woman who lived life to the fullest each day. She was someone who believed in working hard and that anything worth doing was worth doing well. A true blessing in the lives of many, Cinda will be deeply missed and warmly remembered.

LaCinda L. Dorrance of Vicksburg died on June 26, 2011. Cinda’s family includes her daughter, Dana Cramer; her mother, LaVon Dorrance; her sister, Christine Harvey; her brother, Bill (Ruth) Dorrance as well as many other relatives and friends. A memorial service for Cinda will be held on Sunday, July 10th at 3:00 p.m. at Vicksburg United Methodist Church; 217 S. Main St. Vicksburg. Please visit Cinda’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can archive a memory or photo, sign her memory book, or make a memorial donation to the Music Department of your local school or Bickford Cottage. Arrangements provided by Life Story Funeral Home, Vicksburg; 409 S. Main St. (649-1697).