In Memory of Cynthia Ann Frado (1954-2021)

We offer our condolences to the family and colleagues of the Rev. Cynthia “Cindy” Ann Frado, who died on March 28, 2021, at the age of 66.

Cindy was born on September 27, 1954, on her grandmother’s farm in Somerset, MA. Her parents were from immigrant Portuguese families and attended the Portuguese Roman Catholic Church. Growing up on her grandmother’s farm, she became keenly aware of the cyclical patterns of life; this helped her gain perspective on her relationship with the world.

Cindy attended Boston College, MA where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Theology (1976). After graduation, she took a position as an Associate DRE at St. Joseph’s Church in Needham, MA (1976-1978), and became a teacher and Religious Department Chair at St. Gregory’s High School, MA (1978-1980). She was an Assistant to the President of the Whittemore Associates, Needham, MA for two years. She then worked as a staff assistant at the Winchester Unitarian Society, MA (1984-1986), and as a Secretary/Transcriber at James Luther Adams Foundation, MA (1986-1987). From 1987 to 1989, she was hired as a Youth Advisor/Staff Assistant at the First Parish in Concord, MA.

 

Cindy’s four years at Boston College were so rich and full that her spirituality was growing and changing rapidly. She started wondering about her relationship with the church. Although she loved the ritual and pastoral nature of the Roman Catholic Church, she felt that there were too many inconsistencies between what she was supposed to believe and what she believed in her heart. She wanted to find a religious space where she could engage the Creator in an uncensored dialogue. In this search, she encountered Unitarian Universalism and felt alive. Her new sense of grounding gave her a more balanced perspective. She no longer felt bound by a particular creed or doctrine, but instead felt a possibility of ministry. In 1991, she graduated from Harvard Divinity School with a Master of Divinity.

Rev. Frado was ordained on May 19, 1991, by the First Parish in Concord, MA. Following her ordination, she was called to the Unitarian Congregation of Mendon and Uxbridge, MA (1991-1993). During her two years there, she started a social outreach program, doubled the church attendance, and began intergenerational and children’s worship services. Her ministry at Mendon and Uxbridge came to an end when a church steeple (a replica of one of the churches) cracked and fell on her head during a huge parade. After many months of rehabilitation, Rev. Frado decided not to return to full-time ministry for a while.
Rev. Frado resumed her ministerial duty at the UU Church in Rockport, MA as a part- time interim parish minister (1993-1994). At the Rockport congregation, she was a driving force in adult education, fundraising and pastoral care. She was able to unify a diverse congregation and bridged the needs of the elders and those of families with young children. From 1995 to 1997, she served as a part time associate minister at the First Parish in Framingham (1995-1997). At the Framingham congregation, her adult R.E classes were very popular, and she was a wonderful storyteller to the young children.
In 1997, Rev. Frado began a full-time ministry at the UU Congregational Society of Westborough, MA and served until 2013. On June 2, 2013, the Westborough Congregation honored her as their minister emeritus. Thereafter, she served in parish ministry at the First Parish of Northfield Unitarian, MA (2013-2016), and at the UU Society of Amherst, MA (2016-2018).

Rev. Frado’s denominational work included serving as a workshop leader at GA for the Department of Social Justice. She was a member of the UUMA and served as a church administrator and in data services for the First Parish of Northfield Unitarian, MA (2014-2019). For the Clara Barton UUMA Chapter, she served as a UUMA Chapter Leader (2007-2009). In addition, she edited the curriculum Beginning Unitarian Universalism.
Cindy was also a respected leader in the community. She was member of various community organizations in MA, some of which include Framingham WomanSpirit Spirituality Group, Framingham Interfaith Clergy Association, Rockport Clergy Group, Greater Milford Ministerium, Uxbridge Clergy Association and Mass Bay District Board of Directors. She developed an alliance of Rockport ministers and initiated the Interfaith Network for Social Action (INSA) in Cape Anne, MA. She was a Chairperson of the Ways and Means Committee for Hopedale Elementary Schools Parent Advisory Council on Education and a clergy member of the Human Rights Board for New England Center for Autism in Southborough, MA.

Cindy’s interests were many and varied. She loved to sew, quilt, and do crafty things. Music and theatre were very dear to her heart. She enjoyed picnics, walking in the woods, contemplating oceans and lakes, antiques, museum, mystery novels, and crafts projects. She was fond of flowers, especially dandelions and wild violets. She also loved to write and had her articles published in the Gloucester Daily Times, and the Milford Daily News.

Cindy is survived by her husband, James Walker; daughter Eve Chetwynd and her partner Jason Hendricks; son Alexander Chetwynd and his partner Jennifer Bisceglia; sister Kathleen (Frado) Sousa and her husband William; sister-in-law Chris (Hall) Frado; stepson Jonathan Walker and his wife Catherine; stepdaughter Carolyn Taylor and her husband Matthew; adopted daughter Stefanie Jordão; eight loving grandchildren, Arielle, Hayden, Christian, Jack, Ella, Piper, Elin, and August; and several nieces and nephews. Cindy was predeceased in death by her sister, Madeline Jeffries, and brother, John Frado.

A memorial service was held virtually at 5 pm on Friday, April 9, 2021. The service was live streamed.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Boston Children’s Hospital Trust or checks payable may be mailed to Boston Children’s Hospital Trust, 401 Park Drive, Suite 602, Boston, MA 02215. Please include Rev. Cynthia Frado in the memo line.
Notes of condolence may be sent to Alexander Chetwynd, 11 Winston Rd, Worcester, MA 01606.