Cynthia Lynne Godin (née Dixon) passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by family on Sept. 26, 2023, in Oak Grove Township near Prescott, Wis. Cynthia was born on Sept. 15, 1962, in Ladysmith, Wis., and later moved to nearby Holcombe. Cynthia studied piano all through her school years, gave recitals, served as organist at the Methodist Church in Holcombe and the Presbyterian Church in Cornell, accompanied other musicians and performed solo piano at the Wisconsin District and State Solo and Ensemble Festivals. After high school, Cynthia studied piano performance at the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point for one year. On Oct. 8, 1983, Cynthia met Bill Godin through mutual friends at a party in Minneapolis. They started dating regularly and were married the following August.
Cynthia was employed as a Health Unit Coordinator at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, followed by a position as an Administrative Associate for the History of Medicine Department at the University of Minnesota. While raising three boys and working full time, Cynthia completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in Child Psychology at the University of Minnesota, and a Master of Arts Degree in Human Development and Services Administration from St. Mary’s University in Minneapolis. Cynthia continued to advance her career with each degree, eventually ending up in the field of Mental Health Policy. While employed at Hennepin County, Cynthia developed a new program to help patients with a co-occurring mental health diagnosis and chemical dependency diagnosis transition from welfare into the workforce. Cynthia named the program IRIS for Integrated Resources for Independence and Self-sufficiency. Cynthia left Hennepin County for the State of Minnesota Department of Health where she started as a Mental Health Medicaid Program Consultant in 2001. She was promoted to Mental Health Medicaid Supervisor in October 2006, and in October 2011, Cynthia was promoted to Mental Health Medicaid Policy Director. In addition to directing the department she worked with the Assistant Commissioner of Behavioral Health to write policy and legislation.
Throughout her career, Cynthia applied her excellent technical writing skills to policy and grant writing. In December 2013 she decided to pursue her interest in fiction writing and left her director position at the State of Minnesota. Cynthia has written poetry and prose in various genres. Her most recent work is a series of short novels with a plan for self-publication. Cynthia had various jobs during this time and in October 2016 was offered a position as Director of Programs for Cradle of Hope, a non-profit pro-life organization in Minnesota helping pregnant women in crisis. It’s estimated that Cynthia helped save the lives of 31,480 moms and babies while at Cradle of Hope.
Cynthia is survived by her husband William Keith (Bill) Godin, sons Keith William (Xing Fan), Kyle André (Nilufar), and Aaron Albert (Anastasia), four grandchildren, brother Dale Edward Dixon (Cheryl), and sister Elizabeth Bonn (Beth) Meddaugh (Wade). Cynthia was preceded in death by her mother Bonita Lorraine (Bonnie) Dixon (née Bonn), and her father Albert Dale (Al) Dixon.
Mass of Christian Burial was held at 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, at the Catholic Church of St. Joseph, 269 Dakota St. S. Prescott, WI 54021. Visitation was one hour prior to the mass at church. The graveside committal followed at 3 p.m. at Holcombe Cemetery, State Highway 27, Holcombe, WI 54745. Please join us for a Celebration of Life from 4-6 p.m. at East Bay Lodge, 27325 268th Ave., Holcombe, WI 54745.
Memorials will be used to continue her passions and directed to Cradle of Hope, 1970 Oakcrest Ave, Suite 104, Roseville, MN 55113 or Care Net Pregnancy Resource Center, 1108 Port Arthur Rd., Ladysmith, WI 54848.
Funeral services entrusted to O’Connell Family Funeral Homes of Prescott.
