With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Cynthia Kay Carsten, age 73, on April 18, 2026. Cindy was born on December 6, 1952, in Monroe, Michigan.

Cindy and her beloved husband, Donald Carsten, made their home in Point Place, Toledo, Ohio, where they happily resided together.

She was a graduate of Monroe High School, Class of 1971, and the cherished daughter of Thomas Ellison and Helen Liparoto (Asher).

Cindy dedicated many years of service as a judicial court recorder and secretary at the Monroe County Courthouse, where she later retired. Even in retirement, she continued serving others by volunteering as secretary at her cherished church, Riverpoint United Methodist Church.

A woman full of life and joy, Cindy loved ballroom dancing, camping, and traveling. She especially treasured winters spent in Florida as a snowbird with Don. Together, they shared countless adventures and memories.

Cindy was the founder of the Northwest Ohio Dance Club, where she and Don first met on the dance floor. Their love story blossomed through music and movement as they danced the night away and journeyed side by side through life. They were married on September 23, 2006, and their marriage was a beautiful reflection of lasting love and devotion.

In their free time, Don and Cindy loved following their grandchildren wherever life took them. They joyfully traveled to softball games, basketball games, swim meets, and track meets, cheering proudly from the sidelines. They treasured every moment spent supporting their grandchildren and were immensely proud of each and every one of them.

She was also an avid sports fan who never missed a game. Cindy faithfully cheered for the University of Michigan Wolverines football team and the Detroit Lions, always ready to talk football with family and friends.

Cindy is survived by her loving husband, Don Carsten; children, Michael (Cathy) Willey, Brad (Shannon) Willey, Megan (Jason) Marteney, Mike (Alicia) Carsten, Heidi (Aaron) Hatch, and Lynette Carsten; along with her cherished grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas Ellison and Helen Liparoto (Asher), and her brother, Rocky Liparoto.

Cindy will be remembered for her warm heart, vibrant spirit, unwavering faith, and the deep love she gave so freely to those around her. She leaves behind a legacy of kindness, laughter, devotion, and grace.

Though our hearts are broken, we find comfort in knowing that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.

Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m., with funeral services to follow at 11:00 a.m. on Friday at Riverpoint United Methodist Church. A luncheon will be held afterward.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to Riverpoint United Methodist Church.

She will be deeply missed, forever loved, and never forgotten.