Cyntha Ann Cowan Hirst 1926 - 2017 Cyntha Ann Cowan Hirst passed away on July 28, 2017. She was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on January 31, 1926, to Lela and Almaran Cowan. Cyntha grew up in Salt Lake, graduating from East HS. She received her Bachelor's degree from the University of Utah (1947), Master's degree from the University of Washington (1952), and her PhD from the University of Utah (1974). She was a member of the Ski Patrol at Timp Haven (Sundance) where she met Frank Hirst. Cyntha and Frank married December 21, 1958 in Reno, NV, their marriage was later solemnized in the Provo Temple after Frank joined the church. Together they had 3 sons. Cyntha began her career in education in 1947, teaching in Mount Pleasant at North Sanpete Jr. High and High Schools. She joined the BYU faculty in 1948 as a professor in the Physical Education Dept., teaching swimming, canoeing, water safety instruction and statistics, retiring in 1990. Cyntha's three boys were all competitive swimmers; her involvement included being on the Board of Directors of the Utah Valley Summer Recreational Swimming League. She put on numerous swim meets through the years. She was instrumental in bringing a Fitness Center to Orem in 1979, so her boys could swim in Orem in the only 50-meter pool in the county. She enjoyed girls camp ever year at the Fairview YW camp; she was Stake Camp Director. She also assisted her husband, Frank, in the Boy Scout program for over 25 years. She was honored by Orem City on May 23, 2000 naming her the recipient of the Walter C. Orem award. She served on Orem's CDGB board for 6 years. For the past 20 years Cyntha has made one dozen quilts per month donating them to the Center for Women and Children in Crisis, hoping to provide the children there some comfort. Cyntha made and donated over 3000 blankets! Frank and Cyntha bought a cabin at Fishlake in 1969, building a new one in 1972; providing many memories for their boys and the generations to come. Cyntha loved her family and instilled the value of education in her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Cyntha was preceded in death by her parents, spouse, Frank and sister, Leah Graves. She is survived by her sons Karl (Kathy), Orem, UT; Paul (Christine), Hunstville, UT; Robert (Lorri), Omaha, NE, four grandsons, seven granddaughters, their spouses and soon to be 15 great grandchildren. She loved that they called her "Grandma Great." In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made in Cyntha's name to the Division of Child and Family Services, 150 East Center, Provo, UT 84606. Funeral Services will be Saturday, August 5, 2017, 11:00 a.m. at Walker Sanderson Funeral Home, 646 East 800 North, Orem. Family and friends may visit from 10:00 - 10:45 a.m. prior to the services. Interment will be in Orem City Cemetery. Condolences may be offered to the family online at WalkerSanderson.com.