Tribute

Cindy Frew passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus on August 28, 2025, surrounded by her family. Miraculously, she was pain-free the last weeks of her life, for which we praise God.

Cindy was born in Luanshya, Zambia on February 18 th , 1939, and was a beloved sister to her siblings Denise Townsend and Neven Juretic.

She will be lovingly remembered by her husband Keith Frew and children: Renée Ravesteyn (Paul), Nadine Gascho (Kevin), Mark Frew (Debbie). She will be greatly missed by her seven grandsons: Jamie Ravesteyn (Chelsea), David Ravesteyn (Priscilla), Nathan Ravesteyn (Suzanne), Danny Ravesteyn (Claire), Jon Frew (Maddy), Jason Frew (Kristyn), and Sheldon Frew (Elisha) and great-grandchildren. She will be missed by nephews, nieces, and many friends in Canada and around the world.

Cindy was predeceased by her parents Frank and Agatha Juretic, sister Lorna, son Ian, parents-in-law Basil and Vicky Frew, and the wider family: Basil and Lorna Frew, Sandy Frew, Alethea and Roy Dunlop, and Anthony Townsend.

Cindy met Keith in school in Luanshya, Zambia, and they became high school sweethearts at the age of sixteen. Having an adventurous spirit, she then followed Keith to Canada, and they were married on July 15, 1961, in Bruce Mines, Ontario.  Together, they studied at Central Baptist Seminary in Toronto, Ontario, gaining experience in ministry (youth work in local churches). Cindy was the vice-president (Keith was the president) of the seminary student body. Through these years, she was recognized for her leadership abilities. It was also during this season, with the dynamic missions’ emphasis at seminary, that Keith and Cindy were led into a life-time commitment to overseas missions in Africa. This began a beautiful relationship with Canadian friends and churches, many of whom have continued to pray for and financially support Keith and Cindy. Cindy considered it a wonderful privilege to stay connected, building on these life-long relationships.

Cindy had a special love and commitment to her family. Despite her four children going to boarding school, she stayed actively involved in their lives, writing letters twice a week in the early days. The holidays, which the family spent together, were a particular highlight for Cindy. Throughout her life, Cindy made incredible sacrifices for her children, continuing to trust them into God’s care. International travel was important for many of these occasions. For example, flying to Nadine’s high school graduation in Kenya, despite still recovering from hepatitis; travelling to Australia for the birth of Renée’s babies. The last few months of living under the care and hospitality of Mark and Debbie were a huge blessing to Cindy, for which she was deeply grateful.

Cindy was an excellent teacher. Studying at Heaney Teachers’ Training College in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, she graduated as one of the top four students. She went on to specialize in teaching hard-of-hearing children at the University of Cape Town. After teaching primary school in Luanshya and Kitwe, Zambia, for three years, she received a degree Licentiate in Theology at Central Baptist Seminary, Toronto, Canada.

Cindy’s teacher training was applied throughout her life and ministry. For thirty years  she taught, wrote curriculum, and was the principal of the Women’s School at the Chizela Bible Institute, Zambia. This involved teaching courses such as: Bible, Theology, Health, Family Studies, Sewing, Nutrition (which included cooking classes), and Literacy. Her greatest joy was witnessing the transformation that took place in Zambian women’s lives through this integrative, holistic, and life-giving programme.  She wrote a handbook reviewing the lives of women in the Bible as an intentional teaching resource to be used by Zambian women in leadership.

The following eleven years Cindy continued to teach within the context of the South African Indian church: as Sunday School superintendent, registrar at the Christian Training College, co-founder and teacher at the South Coast Bible School and in the Zion Women’s Evangelical Bible School, and teacher of Scripture within the local high school. Building close relationships with national women was particularly meaningful for her in these years.

For the past nineteen years, Cindy joyfully and enthusiastically facilitated an Immanuel Church ladies’ Bible Study in her home. She was particularly blessed recently by all the words of deep appreciation and honour that were expressed by these ladies.  Cindy shared her talents freely with others, whether it was through her giftedness as a seamstress or through offering wonderful home-cooked meals. Cindy’s gift of hospitality blessed and ministered to many, as she opened her home and heart. Her energy and passion for life were contagious. She cared deeply for others, asking key, pertinent and detailed questions of their lives.

Cindy loved the Lord throughout her life, making a formal commitment to follow Jesus at the age of sixteen. Her faith in God and His sustaining grace enabled her to persevere through great suffering. Particularly through the tragic loss of her teenage son Ian, and the continuous grief that followed, Cindy found her strength in the Lord. Even through physical pain over the last three years, she never complained. She continued to commit her life and future into God’s hands, trusting in His care. Her deepest desire was for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to follow Jesus and to walk in the ways of God. Despite the challenges of her life, Cindy’s life message was that God is still incredibly faithful and good. (Nahum 1:7)

We honour Cindy for the wonderful legacy that she has left with us, her family, committing her into God’s loving arms. We also thank you for your prayers and loving support.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Cindy’s memory to Serving in Mission, www.sim.org. Select the donate button at top then scroll down to find your country of residence if you get a tax receipt. If this is not applicable for you, you can use “Sim Canada”, “Donate to Sim Canada”, “In Memoriam”, then designate it to an “unlisted project” and add a note “Cindy Frew memorial fund”. For a different country try follow similar steps as for Sim Canada, unlisted project and add a note. Funds will focus on Cindy’s life-long passion for supporting Zambian women in leadership.

A celebration of Cindy’s life service will be held on Oct. 14, 2025, at 10:30 AM followed by a luncheon, at Immanuel Church in Abbotsford, BC, located at 2950 Blue Jay Street.