Cynthia Wilcox, age 65, died peacefully at home after a courageous four year journey with cancer on June 13, 2024. She is survived by her beloved daughter Hanne Borgersen, two devoted sisters, Suzanne Wilcox and Heather Nicholson, four amazing nieces and nephews: Ian McKibben and Kelsa McKibben (Suzanne), Craig Nicholson and Shelby Nicholson (Heather), a circle of close friends who offered love and support, and hundreds of meditation students whose lives she profoundly touched. She was married for 27 years to John Borgersen, the adoring father of Hanne, who passed away last year.
Cynthia dedicated her life to guiding others toward living with ease of body and peace of mind. Holding a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, Cynthia also completed a Meditation Teacher Training Institute program and was certified in Alchemical Alignment and the Realization Process. Her clinical experience spanned over 25 years, integrating somatic psychotherapy, embodied meditation, and mindful awareness.
Cynthia was a mentor for mindfulness meditation programs and a retreat guide. She developed courses for therapists and bodyworkers on spiritual paths and led peer groups for therapists seeking to integrate mindfulness and meditation into their work. Cynthia’s work and life centered around living from embodied presence and listening to the wisdom of the body. She believed, “We are all here to love as well as we can…each other, all beings on the earth, the earth itself. We are here to evolve so that the barriers to loving fall away, so throughout our lives we love more boldly, with more clarity, with a deeper knowing that we are all one.”
Those closest to Cynthia had the privilege of witnessing her graceful cancer journey, which she viewed not as a battle, but as an opportunity to live well and with full acceptance. Handed a diagnosis of a rare, Stage IV Cholangiocarcinoma with a dismal prognosis, she maintained an incredible perspective of acceptance of each stage, and deliberately chose optimism, peace, and perseverance. Upon diagnosis, she dove into research, becoming an expert and active participant in her treatment. She participated in clinical trials and tried new and non-standard treatments with success. She ate well, invited in spiritual guidance, and stayed present in whatever was happening in her body at any given time. Most importantly, she continued to live and love well throughout the past four years, spending treasured time with Hanne, as well as close friends. She laughed a lot, pursued the work that she loved, and continued to teach and see clients, far outliving the initial prognosis.
Her legacy of love, connection, and embodied presence will continue to inspire and guide many. As she beautifully stated, “Be still. Be fully in this body. Be aware of the tenderness of your heart. All you need is already within you. You are made of love.” Her teachings and presence will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
A memorial gathering will be held to celebrate and honor Cynthia’s life and legacy on June 28, 2024 at 12 noon, at Serenity Ridge Natural Cemetery and Arboretum in Windsor Mill, Maryland. Instead of flowers, donations in Cindy’s memory can be made to Sounds True Foundation.
