Cindy & Glenn Noland Fire & Memorial Fund
Donation protected
PLEASE SEE UPDATES My sister Cindy and her husband Glenn were out when their house caught on fire. By the time the Fire Department got there nothing could be done. Their two-story home was reduced to a small bunch of ashes, charred wood, and burnt metal. Thankfully my sister had her 3 dogs with her, and her cat escaped. But everything they had accumulated over 38 years is gone.
Two days later Glenn left while Cindy was still sleeping, went next door to his salvage business and shot himself. He called 911 first so that neither Cindy nor his brother Frank would be the ones to find him. This was such a shock to all of us. Glenn never seemed sad. He was outgoing, cheerful, friendly to everyone he met, and loved to joke. In hindsight, it seems like concerns about finances were weighing on him already, and losing the house was overwhelming. He and Cindy had built the house just 7 years ago, doing most of the work themselves. This was a dream of theirs, so having all of their hard work vanish in a day had to be soul crushing.
I try not to speak for my sister, but for me, the worst thing is knowing that I saw him the night before but didn't know how upset he was. I will never forget him tapping me softly on the shoulder when he first walked over. I turned around and hugged him, which isn't something I'd normally do, but now I'm so glad that I did. I think of everything we talked about and wonder if there was a clue that I missed. I wish that I would have said something that would have made him feel more hopeful. But we don't get 2nd chances for those things. Now all that I can do is to try to help my sister get back on her feet.
For those who don't know, Cindy makes a living as a photographer and a teacher. She lost most of her photography equipment, her computers, her lighting equipment, etc. The classes that she teaches are held outside, a short walk from where their house was. Since we've had so much rain this year, the area has been too soggy for her to give lessons most days. She also has so much to do - it's not just dealing with the inevitable things you have to do when you lose your spouse, it's replacing everything that was lost in the fire, including things like car titles, tax information, clothes, shoes, just everything...
Thankfully a friend of hers has room for Cindy and her 3 dogs to come stay with her while she decides what to do next. People who know her know that she's kind, a lot of fun to be with, a very talented artist, and loves her dogs with all of her heart. I can't bring back her home or her husband, but I can do this.
If you can help with any donation so that she can build or find another home and get back on her feet, I know she will be appreciative, and so will I. If you can share her story that would be helpful, too. Seeing the kindness and generosity of others has been the only good thing about all of this.
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Rest in Peace, Glenn. I wish you knew that these things are temporary and can always be overcome. People wanted to help because we loved you, because you were a good person. You touched so many more lives than you knew and you are already missed very much.
Two days later Glenn left while Cindy was still sleeping, went next door to his salvage business and shot himself. He called 911 first so that neither Cindy nor his brother Frank would be the ones to find him. This was such a shock to all of us. Glenn never seemed sad. He was outgoing, cheerful, friendly to everyone he met, and loved to joke. In hindsight, it seems like concerns about finances were weighing on him already, and losing the house was overwhelming. He and Cindy had built the house just 7 years ago, doing most of the work themselves. This was a dream of theirs, so having all of their hard work vanish in a day had to be soul crushing.
I try not to speak for my sister, but for me, the worst thing is knowing that I saw him the night before but didn't know how upset he was. I will never forget him tapping me softly on the shoulder when he first walked over. I turned around and hugged him, which isn't something I'd normally do, but now I'm so glad that I did. I think of everything we talked about and wonder if there was a clue that I missed. I wish that I would have said something that would have made him feel more hopeful. But we don't get 2nd chances for those things. Now all that I can do is to try to help my sister get back on her feet.
For those who don't know, Cindy makes a living as a photographer and a teacher. She lost most of her photography equipment, her computers, her lighting equipment, etc. The classes that she teaches are held outside, a short walk from where their house was. Since we've had so much rain this year, the area has been too soggy for her to give lessons most days. She also has so much to do - it's not just dealing with the inevitable things you have to do when you lose your spouse, it's replacing everything that was lost in the fire, including things like car titles, tax information, clothes, shoes, just everything...
Thankfully a friend of hers has room for Cindy and her 3 dogs to come stay with her while she decides what to do next. People who know her know that she's kind, a lot of fun to be with, a very talented artist, and loves her dogs with all of her heart. I can't bring back her home or her husband, but I can do this.
If you can help with any donation so that she can build or find another home and get back on her feet, I know she will be appreciative, and so will I. If you can share her story that would be helpful, too. Seeing the kindness and generosity of others has been the only good thing about all of this.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Rest in Peace, Glenn. I wish you knew that these things are temporary and can always be overcome. People wanted to help because we loved you, because you were a good person. You touched so many more lives than you knew and you are already missed very much.
Organizer and beneficiary
Donna Cosky
Organizer
North Sewickley Township, PA
Cindy Noland
Beneficiary
