Cynthia Mavis Helen Dowdeswell: 1931-2021 

A life-long Baptist who became a Deaconess before working for Bible Society 

Confirmed in the Church of England at age 13, baptised in a Brethren church, Cynthia became a life-long Baptist on joining Lewin Road Baptist Church in Streatham, London. She was involved in evangelist work and counselling during the Billy Graham rallies.

At Lewin Road she discovered the possibility of becoming a Baptist Deaconess. She trained at Carey Hall in Birmingham from 1957 to 1960, and worked in churches in Peterborough, Upminster, Thetford, Bolton and Manchester.

After leaving the Deaconess order for family reasons, in Bridgewater Cynthia became a Sunday school teacher, deacon and lay preacher. She then worked for Bible Society in Swindon from 1981 to 1989, when she became a member of Toothill Ecumenical Church. She was chairperson of the church for five years, continued lay-preaching, and served as president of WESBA. She sung in choirs, and loved concerts, history, travel, watching tennis, and cats!

She went home to be with her Lord on Easter Monday. 
 

The Revd Brenda Morton