It is with heavy hearts that we announce on March 1, 2026, our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, auntie and friend, Cindy Minary (Harkness), passed away unexpectedly in her home at the age of 58. Cindy will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 39 years, Darwyn Minary, who was her first and only love, and her 4 children Jared (Amanda), Adam (Kayla), Cody (Stacey) and Kendra (Devin), and will be forever loved and missed by her 6 grandchildren, Riley, Sawyer, Quinn, Daxton, Lainey & Dellah.
Cindy grew up on a farm outside of Souris with her parents Mervyn and June Harkness and 4 siblings, Alan (Lesa), Melissa (Ken), Becky (Dana) and Selena (Trevor), who brought her 9 nieces and nephews; Lindsey (Matt), Jennifer, Nicole (Scott), Leland (Noelle), Hudson, Radney (Mackenzie), Raeleigh (Connor), Amy and Ella, into her life whom she adored and took the time to get to know as individuals, all while raising her own 4 children. The Harkness family grows steadily, and Cindy also had the joy of being a Great-Auntie to Sadie, Harvey, Emmett, Violet, Noah, Elsie and Wesley. Cindy held family very dear to her heart and was close with Darwyn’s side of the family as well and will be missed by Darwyn’s siblings, Brad (Lana) and Darla, along with their children, Brett (Alix), Reid (Corinne), Kyle (Karly), Brandon (Mitch) and Brianna (Michael).
In her early years, Cindy enjoyed the outdoors on the farm. She attended brownies and 4-H. Cindy also figure skated with her sister’s Melissa and Becky all through elementary and junior high, and often roller skated in Brandon with her friends during high school. After she moved to Souris, she developed a very close bond with her co-worker and dear friend, Margaret Greaves as she began her career as a librarian, a position she held and loved for over twenty years. Cindy met Darwyn and they quickly fell in love and got married in 1986. Four beautiful children followed between 1986 and 1996. In 2006 Cindy and Darwyn acquired the bakery and Cindy eventually left her beloved role at the library to assume the role of woman in charge at the bakery. She led her family with quiet confidence, professionalism, and unwavering love as they turned Souris’s small-town bakery to a well-known bakery within Manitoba’s borders and beyond. Cindy was very proud of their business and her family and was dedicated to her community. Throughout the years, Cindy volunteered as a Sunday School teacher at the United Church for many years, worked the Baby Step and Step 2 Programs, a playgroup for new moms, and volunteered in her children’s classrooms often.
Cindy loved spending time with her family, whether it was camping, going on picnics, shopping trips with her mom and sisters, or just cozy days at home. She was an avid reader, and was passionate about her work at the bakery. In her quiet moments she liked to garden, bake at home, scrapbook, do puzzles, and craft – especially if those activities involved her grandchildren, either participating in the activity with her or creating gifts for them. Cindy was the first to show up for her children and grandchildren’s extra-curricular activities as well as those of her nieces and nephews.
Cindy led a quiet and peaceful life surrounded by family and was devoted to the success of the Minary Homestyle Bakery. Cindy’s quick-witted sense of humour, mostly reserved for close family and friends, will be greatly missed. The memory of Cindy’s beautiful smile will live on in her loved ones’ hearts and the hearts of the loyal bakery customers.
A memorial reception for family and friends will be held at St. Paul’s Auditorium on Saturday, March 21, 2026 from 1:00 ~ 3:00 p.m. In memory of Cindy, donations may be made to the Glenwood & Souris Library Box 760 Souris, Manitoba R0K 2C0 or to the Heart & Stroke Foundation.
So very sorry for your loss. Our thoughts are with your family during this difficult time. Enjoy your wonder memories of such a special lady.
My Sincere Condolences to Darwyn and family. Merv & June Harkness and family. Cindy was a friendly, kind and wonderful wife, mom, daughter, sister and lady.
It was a pleasure to know her.
Thinking of you all at this sad time, may your memories be comforting.
I send you all healing prayers and a comforting hug.
R.I.P. Cindy
Thinking of you all at this time…
Let me know if there is anything I can do.
Hugs to all of you.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time !
Thoughts & prayers are with the family & many friends.
To all the family, we are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you. She will be missed by all.
Our Sincere Sympathy to the Minary and Harkness families.
I’m sorry to hear Cindys passing. She will be missed by all that knew her.
Sincere condolences to Darwyn and family. She left you far too soon and hope all your memories will help. ❤️
Doug and Helen Fenwick
My heart breaks for Cindy. Gone too soon. Hold her memories close. Thinking of you all.
Condolences to you and your family Darwyn. Thoughts and prayers to you at this difficult time
We are so sorry for your loss. Gone way too soon. Our hearts are with you all.
Darwyn and family, Merv and June and family,
Doug and I were so sad to hear about Cindy’s passing. Personally I remember Cindy as a caring and conscientious young girl who was the best babysitter for my young sons Stephen and David. When she and Darwyn married I knew she would be a loving wife and especially a wonderful mother!
We extend our deepest sympathy to all of Cindy’s family and I know God holds you all in his arms at this extremely difficult time.
To Darwyn and family & June and Mervin and family our hearts go out to you at this difficult time. Cindy was a special person to me. Quiet, kind and thoughtful. She seemed to shine at the bakery and made everyone who entered, glad they came in. She will be so sadly missed by family and friends. We extend our deepest sympathies.
Lament your loss — cherish the memories going forward. Always enjoyed meeting your mom at cash register when dropping off Stag newspapers and picking up Apple fritters/ glazed donuts box left by Kendra when we exchanged McDonalds chicken nuggets I grabbed for her in Brandon after leaving CFB Shilo for Souris.
Our sympathy to Cindy’s family. She will be missed by the entire community. Such a strong wonderful person!
There are no words to describe how saddened we are with your loss in Cindy’s passing. Please accept our sincere sympathies, and we will keep you all in our thoughts and prayers.
Our sincere sympathy to the Minary and Harkness families. Thinking of you at this very difficult time. Treasure all your wonderful memories and keep them close to your heart.
Sincere Condolences to the Minary and Harkness Families. Cindy will be missed by all who knew her.
We are so sad to hear of Cindy’s passing. We send our heartfelt condolences to her family and friends. May your beautiful memories of Cindy help comfort you in this difficult time. I remember Cindy’s smile and quick wit from our childhood days. She was a very special person.
To Darwyn and all your Family, and to all the Harkness Family,
I am so sorry for your loss of Cindy.
I have many memories of Cindy working in the Library, and of course at the Bakery, and having children and grandchildren of the same age as my own. She accomplished so much in her waking hours and was a fixture in the community. I hope you take some comfort in knowing that so many share your grief, and also that so many are grateful for the quiet and positive impact that Cindy had on us.
Sincerely,
Pam Whitfield
Condolences to the Minary and Harkness families.
I had the great pleasure of working alongside Cindy in the Baby Steps program. I will remember her as loving, quiet and kind. Treasure your memories
Cindy was a truly remarkable person whose warmth and kindness touched everyone she met. Every trip to Souris for those delicious chocolate donuts felt special, not just because of the treats, but because of her welcoming smile that made you feel right at home. She had a unique way of treating her customers like family, creating a sense of belonging that will be deeply missed. Cindy’s spirit will continue to resonate within her community and beyond. Rest in peace, dear Cindy.