Cynthia Louise Hukill

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Service Schedule
Memorial Service
Roller-McNutt Funeral Home
650 Central Landing Blvd.
Conway, AR  72032
Saturday, July 31, 2021
1:00PM

Cynthia Louise Hukill

of Conway, AR

July 28, 1950 - June 16, 2021

Cynthia Louise Hukill, DMA of Conway, AR, beloved daughter of Viron Hukill, Ed.D. and Billie Barnett died peacefully at her home in Conway, AR. A native of Conway, Cynthia graduated from Conway High School in 1968 and began her career in music by attending University of Central Arkansas from 1969-1970. In 1970, she entered the prestigious music program at The University of North Texas in Denton, where she earned both a bachelors degree and a master's degree under the guidance of Professor Larry Walz in Piano Performance. In 1977, she continued her doctoral education in Piano Performance at the University of Missouri Kansas City under the tutelage of Professor Richard Cass, Concert Pianist.

Cynthia's passion for teaching first led her to Henderson State College in Arkadelphia, and then to Avila University in Missouri where she served at Coordinator of Music and was part of the music faculty for 23 years. In 1999, Cynthia moved to Joplin, MO to teach at Missouri Southern University, serving as Coordinator of Piano, and was part of faculty teaching Music Theory. Also in 1999, Cynthia made her debut on the world stage by participating in a world tour commencing in Taiwan with the violinist Kexi Lui. Her world traveled performances include Notre Dame in Paris by invitation of Arch Bishop Jean-Marie Lustiger.

After a successful tenure at Missouri Southern University, Cynthia was offered her dream job at Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, enabling her to move back to her beloved Arkansas in 2008 where she served as Head of the Music Department until her retirement in 2018. Following her retirement from Arkansas Tech, she relocated to her hometown of Conway and began renovation on her childhood home, built by her father, Viron Hukill, head of the Industrial Arts department at UCA.

During her teaching career, Cynthia was a private piano teacher as well as a college professor and inspired a love of music in her many students. Cynthia's passion and purpose was instilling a deep appreciation of classical music. She had the rare ability to foster in her students a profound engagement with, and commitment to, their music whether they pursued it professionally or as a lifelong enrichment. She was invited to and played the piano while touring the world, including: Austria, Australia, Belgium, Egypt, England, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Istanbul, Italy, The Netherlands, Russia, Spain, and Taiwan.

Cynthia is preceded in death by her parents, Viron Hukill, her mother Billie Barnett Hukill and step-mother Evalee Harned Hukill. Cynthia leaves behind numerous friends and relatives who were much loved including, Ivo Jones (Charles Johnson) her primary caregivers, of Conway AR, Catherine Jones, caregiver and friend, and Sarah Jane Chambers, friend of over 50 years, both of Dallas, TX, step-sisters Brenda Stainton( Bob), Carla Smith (John) and Gayle Faggetti (Marty) all of Conway, her beloved cousins in Houston, Lisa Poynor, Allyson Santola and uncle Robert Rice, Her cousin Donna Scott (Charles) as well as her Oklahoma family including cousin Skip (Shirley) Barnett and cousin Jerry Pat Hukill (Jeanie) and cousin Donna Jordan (Dan) of Dallas, Texas.

Unfortunately, due to the rise in Coronavirus cases in Faulkner County and Arkansas, the previously planned memorial service has been canceled for the foreseeable future.

In lieu of flowers please consider a memorial donation towards the new Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts at the University of Central Arkansas. All donations received will be in memory of Dr. Cynthia Hukill and her time spent with the UCA Department of Music. Donations can be made online at www.uca.edu/go/Windgate, over the phone at (501) 852-0778, or via check by sending them to Gunnar Bartlett at Buffalo Alumni Hall, 2490 Bruce Street, Conway, AR 72034. Please make checks out to the UCA Foundation, Inc. and include ''Dr. Cynthia Hukill Memorial Gift'' in the "for" line.

If gifts are made online, please make sure to complete the memorial giving section in its entirety.

You may sign the online guestbook at www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/conway

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37 Condolence(s)
Catherine Henze
Kalamazoo, MI
Liked
Friday, July 7, 2023

What a treasure! Cynthia was my first accompanist… in second grade! And we remained good friends. I stayed with her during Katrina, and again during our 50th CHS reunion.
We both reached a dream of an academic doctorate.
When I was having trouble finishing, she gave me hope by saying “You’re a lot closer than you think.”
Be well, dear friend.
Love from Catherine

Dr. Kevin Costley
Greenbrier, AR
Liked
Sunday, October 9, 2022

Although much more than one year late love hearing the departure of doctor Cynthia, I want to express my deepest sympathies toward the loss of this wonderful talented individual. I first met Cynthia at Missouri southern state university. As president of our local piano teachers organization, we met and became friends encouraging each other to be the best in our jobs. Many years later, in 2003, I join the faculty of Arkansas Tech University. Several years later, Cynthia became the head of the music department our university. I was thrilled to see her and have some nice friendly conversations about piano instruction. Cynthia was also always encouraging about my mini piano publications. She was one of my finest musical friends. I will miss her sorely.

Judy Gruttman
Shelter Island, NY
Liked
Thursday, July 29, 2021

I just learned about Cynthia’s passing and am so sorry to hear of it. We were in undergraduate music school together at University of North Texas and our paths also overlapped for a year at UMKC. She was such a bright and accomplished musician. Also, I think we always had a good laugh about something or other when I saw her! She will be missed.

Tracy MInear
Granby, MT
Liked
Saturday, July 3, 2021

Dr. Hukill was a great teacher who loved teaching. She was also a friend. You will be missed. Thanks for all you taught me, in the few short years that I had you for class.

Alison Hasselquist
Webb City,, MO
Liked
Friday, July 2, 2021

Dr. Hukill made sure she saw me graduate with my piano degree. I was going through rough spots, but she saw me through. She left MSSU shortly after I graduated. She had great expectations for her student She will be forever missed.

Rita Boyer
Carl Junction, MO
Liked
Saturday, June 26, 2021

I am so saddened to hear of the loss of Cynthia. She was a dear friend and a very fun and classy lady. She will be forever missed.

Robin Williams
Covington, LA
Liked
Friday, June 25, 2021

Cynthia was one of my dearest friends. We first met when we were both piano students in the late 1970s at UMKC (University of Missouri - Kansas City). We loved to go shopping together in those days and she was often holding my hand while I figured out what direction to go next as a musician. Many have mentioned her wonderful smile and sense of humor, and that holds as a beautiful memory for me too. I miss her.

Susan (Putnam) Kleps
Jenks, OK
Liked
Friday, June 25, 2021

Dr. Hukill, I have thought of many times over the years. I wish I had told you how much I looked up to you at Southern. I wish I written to you one of the times I thought about doing so. Thank you for instilling in me such a deep love and respect for music that undulated into every other part of my life.

Judy Smith Gans
Broomfield, CO
Liked
Friday, June 25, 2021

I am deeply saddened to hear of Cynthia's passing. She was one of my closest and dearest college friends. I would like to ask that a survivor/caretaker contact Roller-McNutt funeral home. They have my contact information. Her small and close college "tribe" would appreciate it. Thank you.

Debra Snodgrass
Carthage, MO
Liked
Friday, June 25, 2021

An elegant lady, a fine pianist and compassionate friend! A significant loss to all of us who knew and loved her.

Susan K. Smith
Joplin, MO
Liked
Wednesday, June 23, 2021

My deep sympathy to her family and friends. Cynthia was my dear friend and colleague. She literally saved my life. She was such a great loving person.

Dr..Cheryl Cotter
Joplin, MO
Liked
Wednesday, June 23, 2021

Cynthia was my friend, accompanist, and colleague. I will miss her knowing she is no longer with us. Love you Cynthia!

Bessie Cockrell
Damascus, AR
Liked
Tuesday, June 22, 2021

I remember a sweet soft spoken girl in my High School Class of 1968. She will always remain in my memory as that girl with a beautiful smile who was destined for bigger things. And I see she lived her dreams…

Kathryn and Jeffrey Macomber
Roseville, MN
Liked
Tuesday, June 22, 2021

We are saddened by the news of the passing of our dear friend and muse, Cynthia Hukill. One of the great gifts in our life together was the friendship and kinship she shared with us on our journey to Missouri and beyond. Rest In Peace.

Pete Havely
Joplin , MO,
Liked
Tuesday, June 22, 2021

I’m saddened to hear this. Rest In Peace, my friend. I’ll never forget you.

Julie Hill
Conway, AR
Liked
Monday, June 21, 2021

I was surprised and saddened to read about Cynthia’s passing. We were involved in music activities together when we were young. She was always kind to everyone.

Linda Bradke Jackson
Holly Grove, AR
Liked
Monday, June 21, 2021

May you rest in PEACE!! PRAYERS for family & friends.
A member of the Class of 1968 Conway High School

Betty Patterson Harden
Crossville, TN
Liked
Monday, June 21, 2021

One of my beloved friends from high school. Wonderful memories of Cynthia and parents and their home.
Condolences to family and friends.
Betty P.

Donald Derych
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Sunday, June 20, 2021

Sincerest Sympathy ~ Cynthia was the Best and Finest lady ! We will miss her greatly ! In Him, Don, Linda and Tommy Derych

Rosemary Conville
Conway, AR
Liked
Sunday, June 20, 2021

Cynthia, May you be with the Angels!

Lynn White Rehkop
Conway, AR
Liked
Saturday, June 19, 2021

My condolences. Such a talent.

Alan Henry
Conway, AR
Liked
Saturday, June 19, 2021

I’ve known and admired Cynthia from the first grade all the way through high school and she was a gracious lady with wonderful personality and was very witty. I always enjoyed seeing her at our class reunions, she will be greatly missed.

Nancy Conner Davis
Conway, AR
Liked
Saturday, June 19, 2021

I was so saddened to see the news of Cynthia passing away! She was a sweet friend, who lived with her parents on Western Ave. behind our house on Robinson Ave, when we were in high school. She was always so nice with her pretty smiling face. She will certainly be missed by me, her many friends and classmates. Heaven has gained a sweet angel though!! Rest in peace, Cynthia.

Matthews Karen
Conway, AR
Liked
Saturday, June 19, 2021

So sad to hear of Cynthia’s passing. She was a sweet and talented member of the class of 1968. She will be missed!

Kay Fronabarger Baudier
Edgemont, AR
Liked
Saturday, June 19, 2021

My heart is saddened at the loss of another of our dear classmates of CHS 1968. She was always so soft spoken with a heart as big as Texas. I regret I never got to hear her play in her adult years, but do remember her playing on my grandparents upright piano in my living room when we were in school. She will be missed by many, my prayers go our to all the family and friends...play on sweet friend...play on. K

Raye Jean Dow Linn
Damascus, AR
Liked
Saturday, June 19, 2021

Cynthia’s father and my dad both taught at UCA for many years together. Her dad taught woodworking and mine metal work. We were together quite a bit. Even as a young child she was very talented. I didn’t know she had moved back to Conway. She will be missed.

Hannah Baker
Fayetteville, AR
Liked
Saturday, June 19, 2021

Dr. Hukill was one of my favorite teachers at ATU. I had music theory 1, 2 and 3 with her and it was a wonderful experience. She was also SO excited when I came to her to change my major to music.
I will always remember her kindness and passion as a huge part of my time at ATU.

Bob Blankenship
Gentry, AR
Liked
Saturday, June 19, 2021

The Cynthia I knew in High School was a nice soft spoken person. I didn’t realize how talented she was. Such a loss. We visited a good while at our last class reunion, such a beautiful person and was still that nice soft spoken person.

Nancy Rhodes
Conway, AR
Liked
Friday, June 18, 2021

I was so sorry to hear about Cynthia. I had not seen her in years but I remember her sweet spirit and warm smile. She was a talented lady. My condolences to the family.

Andy Anders
Russellville, AR
Liked
Friday, June 18, 2021

It was such a delight to get to know Cynthia. She took on department head responsibilities at Tech with such vigor and anticipation. She appeared honest and fair in dealing with faculty and was receptive to the needs of the campus and music education. Most of all, I liked her, as did many others. It is a disappointment to loose her, but was such a blessing to call her friend.

Karen Blythe Hutchens
Conway, AR
Liked
Friday, June 18, 2021

I am so sorry to hear about Cynthia. It is so sad to lose another member of the Class of 68.
She was always so talented and kind. She will be missed by all her knew her.

Hal Cooper Sr
Russellville, AR
Liked
Friday, June 18, 2021

I grew to know and love Cynthia as my BOSS in the Music Department at Arkansas Tech! She was a warm and witty woman who did a magnificent job “carrying the flag” for our department through some tough times. I will fondly remember our “chicken fried steak dates” at the Ole South restaurant! RIP, Cynthia!

Kendall Tabor
Russellville,
Liked
Friday, June 18, 2021

Dr. Hukill was such a kind person each and everytime we met. I enjoyed our chats at the Tech Band Camps, she always wanted me to drop by get a cup of coffee and chat. I missed running into at Kroger too. My condolences to her family.

Giuseppina Bartlett
Conway, AR
Liked
Friday, June 18, 2021

Thank you for the great conversations, the tutorials on proper care for a Steinway and the friendship that was cut way too short. Rest in peace and may you create beautiful music forever.

prissy Buchanan
Fort Smith, AR
Liked
Friday, June 18, 2021

My condolences to the entire family. I got to know her wile at Tech and had such a respect for her during her time there. We are so grateful for her time at Tech and all she brought to the University.

Boyd Osborne
Russellville, AR
Liked
Friday, June 18, 2021

My condolences to Dr Hukill’s family and friends.

Ivo Jones
Conway, AR
Liked
Friday, June 18, 2021

You will be missed more than you know dear friend and make your music live in our hearts forever….❤️❤️❤️