Cynthia “Cindy” Lynne (Cook) Allen, 71, of DeGraff, passed away September 21, 2026. She was born in Bellefontaine, Ohio on February 7, 1955, daughter of Robert Dean Cook and Helen Lucille (Henry) Cook.

Cindy is survived by both of her parents, Robert and Helen; her daughter, Jennifer Allen; brother, Robert Gene (Terri) Cook; a niece, Kacey (Bradley) Adams; a nephew, Tomas Cook; and four great nephews and one great niece - Briggston, Lakeland, Macklin, Brilynn Adams, and Carson Cook.

Cindy was born on a dairy farm, with farming, cows, and of course horses, in her blood. Her love of horses went so deep that she begged for years for a horse, read every horse-themed book she could get her hands on, (her all-time favorite was the Black Stallion series) and absorbed everything she could learn about them. She would ride those Holstein cows until one day, riding one in from the pasture at age twelve, her dad finally gave in and decided to buy her her first horse. Misty was very special to Cindy, and she rode bareback to be able to go riding faster. She would tell stories of getting home from school, grabbing the halter and lead rope, and hopping on to run to the end of the driveway before her dad could whistle to call her back to work.

She passed that love of horses on to her daughter, Jenn, who started out riding that same amazing mare Misty, until moving on to her own horses over the years. They traveled around Ohio and Indiana showing and enjoying every second they could together over that shared love - even passing on the love of Secretariat and being surprised by a donation to a statue that is now on display at the Kentucky Horse Park. If you are ever in that area, go visit and look for a paver with her name, at his side as if walking along with him.

Over the years she enjoyed putting her artistic talents to work designing kitchens at Snapp’s Doors and Windows in Bellefontaine and then working at the DeGraff Lumber Yard. She made beautiful quilts, completely by hand, that have become cherished heirlooms to those that were lucky to receive one. Being a 4-H advisor in Champaign County to help spread the knowledge she had about horses was an important and fun endeavor for her that she enjoyed. Though ultimately, her heart was in the tractor, helping on the farm, caring for the cows, being with the horses, her cat, cheering on the Chicago Bears, and growing an amazing vegetable garden. Her love of reading continued throughout her life, even taking books along with her in the tractor for those slower moments in the field.

A celebration of life will be held from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 18, 2026, at the Red Apple Barn, 593 Township Road 199 W. in Bellefontaine. Inurnment will be in Greenwood-Union Cemetery in DeGraff, Ohio at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made, in Cindy’s memory, to the Discovery Riders Equine-Assisted Therapy at discoveryriders.org or to P.O. Box 217 Bellefontaine, OH 43311.

SANFORD FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, DEGRAFF is honored to care for Cindy’s family and encourages anyone to share a fond memory or kind message with the family at www.sanfordfuneralhome.com.