Cynthia Jean (Hastings) Zimbinski

Cynthia Jean (Hastings) Zimbinski, age 84, died peacefully in Duluth, Minnesota, on Friday June 20, 2025. She was born April 12, 1941 in St. Paul, Minnesota to Russell and Naomi Hastings, and attended St. Paul Central High School, graduating in 1959. She earned her BA in French and Biology from Macalester College in 1963.

After college, she taught French at several high schools in the Twin Cities area. She married William Zimbinski on July 11, 1964 in St. Paul while Bill was attending dental school. The young couple lived in various locations while Bill served in the Air Force. In 1968, they moved to Duluth, where they made their home for 57 years.

Committed to education throughout her life, Cindy returned to school in 1979 and earned an Early Childhood Education Certificate. She then worked as a teacher at University Nursery School for many years and later volunteered for the Head Start program, teaching literacy skills to preschoolers.

She was active in her congregation, Glen Avon Presbyterian Church, where she served on the Board of Elders and chaired the Deacon Board. She sang in the church choir for more than 50 years.

Cindy maintained an active lifestyle and was an avid hiker. She hiked the Grand Canyon and loved the trails of Isle Royale. The family often sailed and vacationed in their sailboat on Lake Superior. She enjoyed cross country and downhill skiing with her husband Bill, and together they skied the Rockies almost every winter. They travelled and cruised together extensively.

Service to the community was important to Cindy, and she volunteered for many organizations, most recently the Damiano Center and Second Harvest Northland Food Bank.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Russell and Naomi Hastings. She is survived by her husband of 60 years, William Zimbinski, sons Robert and William, daughter Elizabeth, five grandchildren, and their dog Tina.

The family is grateful for the care and support Cindy received from the caring staffs of Beehive Assisted Living and St Croix Hospice.

Visitation will be held at 10 AM, followed by service at 11 AM on Wednesday July 2 at Glen Avon Presbyterian Church, 2105 Woodland Ave, Duluth, MN 55803.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to Safe Haven Shelter and Resource Center (safehavenshelter.org) are preferred.

Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home, 218-727-3555. Please visit www.dfhduluth.com to sign the online guestbook.