Cindy Addison

Cindy Addison, 69, of Great Falls, passed away June 8, 2017 at her home after a strongly fought battle with pancreatic cancer.Born September 10, 1947 in Denver, CO, Cindy earned her Bachelors in Music from Adams State College in Alamosa, CO and her Masters in Music from the University of Montana, where she met and married her first husband, John Hancock of Great Falls. She started her career teaching music at Grande Prairie Regional College, Alberta. After their move to Great Falls in 1982, Cindy began her 35 year tenure as organist for the First Congregational Church and Christ United Methodist Church.Cindy quickly became a fixture of the Montana musical community as an accomplished pianist, organist, accompanist, and music teacher. For over 30 years, she has been the pianist for the Great Falls Symphony and Symphonic Choir. She performed as the guest artist for the Cascade Quartet and the Chinook Winds, and accompanied countless solo and chamber artists, choirs, musicals and operas. Through her dedication to piano teaching and accompanying, she has enriched the lives of hundreds of students and musicians. It was through music that she met her second husband, Brice Addison, whom she married in 1995 and was by her side when she passed.Cindy loved hiking, skiing, and backpacking; Glacier National Park held a special place in her heart. An avid reader, she enjoyed relaxing at the family cabin in Neihart and summer weeks at Flathead Lake.Cindy is survived by husband Brice Addison of Great Falls; daughters Stacey Hancock of Bozeman and Karin Hancock Buer (Adam) of Longmont, CO; step-daughters Erin Addison of Fall City, WA and Kara Addison of Helena; and step-son Conrad Addison (Lauren) of Helena. Cindy was preceded in death by her parents, Norma and Bill Hough.A memorial service is planned for 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 17, 2017 at First Congregational United Church of Christ. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to the Great Falls Symphony to honor Cindy.Though there are too many to be named, the family would like to give special thanks to Dr. Bryan Martin, Mary Gray FNP, Dr. Ray Geyer, Dr. David Sheldon, Dr. Mike Walters, Dr. Robert Pfeffer, and the innumerable friends, family and colleagues who have supported us over the last 4 years.