Lucinda (Cindy) Payne Buraszeski

Lucinda (Cindy) Payne Buraszeski (3/18/1950 – 6/1/2023)
Lucinda (Cindy) Diane Payne Buraszeski, of Oklahoma City, OK, went to her Heavenly
home on June 1, 2023. Cindy was born March 18, 1950, in Oklahoma City, and grew
up in Bethany, attending Bethany Public Schools where she graduated in 1968. At
BHS football games, she could be seen twirling her baton high in the air as a
majorette out in front of the BHS Marching Band. Cindy held a variety of jobs after
graduation, and upon moving to Arizona, launched what became a career at the Palo
Verde Nuclear Power Plant near Tonopah. She began as an Administrative Assistant
with the nation’s largest power producer, and after 24 years, retired in 2009 as one of
the plant’s Emergency Preparedness Coordinators. Her friends from Arizona describe
Cindy as funny, witty, and dedicated, with a sense of humor that sometimes had to be
explained because of her Okie roots. She loved to tell stories of her life, entertaining
others with her experiences. Cindy was well-liked, always concerned for others and
would do whatever she could do to help her friends and family. She was known to pick
up tabs whenever she was able and give away a personal possession if someone
needed it or even expressed that they liked it. Cindy returned to Oklahoma City after
retirement but kept life-long friends in Arizona who remember her as a “good soul” and
someone they could always count on.
Cindy was preceded in death by her father Mendell Payne, mother Ruth Payne, sisters
Judy Payne and Juanita Payne, and brother, Rick Payne. She is survived by her
sister-in-law Neva Payne of Oklahoma City, her nephew Christopher Payne of Austin,
Texas, and his daughters Evelyn and Lilian, and her nephew Ryan Payne (Monica)
also of Austin, Texas, their son Adrian and daughter Kinsleigh, as well as a number of
much-loved and loving cousins and friends.
Cindy’s family and friends would like to express their sincere appreciation to all the
nurses and aides at Northhaven Assisted Living especially those who took a personal
and close interest in Cindy’s life and wellbeing, the nurses and aides at Tuscany
Village Nursing Center, and Dr. Jonathan Knox and Dr. Erica Dearborn, and others
connected with the Mercy Health System. We also wish to thank Enhabit Home Health
and Hospice nurses, aides, administration, and all involved for their exceptional care
and support on behalf of both Cindy and those close to her. Your compassion,
sensitivity, and professionalism have been invaluable. Per Cindy’s instruction, there
will not be a formal memorial service. Hopefully her memory and story will bring you a
smile.
“The purpose of life is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it
make some difference that you have lived and lived well.” Ralph Waldo Emerson