Attorney, Volunteer and Village Justice Cindy Dunne Passes Away at 67
- Wednesday, 30 October 2024 08:28
- Last Updated: Wednesday, 30 October 2024 08:28
- Published: Wednesday, 30 October 2024 08:28
- Joanne Wallenstein
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The Honorable Cynthia ("Cindy") Keeffe Dunne: November 10, 1956 – October 24, 2024
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Cynthia Keeffe Dunne, affectionately known as "Cindy" or "Cindy Lou Who." Cindy left this world on October 24, 2024, surrounded by loved ones, after a courageous battle with Glioblastoma Multiforme. Cindy devoted her life to justice, community service, and to loving her family and friends. She is survived by her husband, Timothy Dunne; her children, Sean Dunne, Deirdre Dunne, Margaret Taubman; her son in law, Oliver Taubman, whom she recently welcomed into the family with open arms; and by her devoted caregiver, Hyacinth Roberson.
Cindy was born on November 10, 1956, in Yonkers, NY, to John Keeffe and Frances Keeffe. She was raised in Scarsdale, NY alongside her two sisters, Amy Peckham and Gigi Schwartzman. Scarsdale is also where she met, first in childhood and then years later, her beloved husband of 38 years, Timothy Dunne, and where they raised their family. Cindy ended her career in public service as the Honorable Village Justice of Scarsdale.
Cindy was a lawyer with extensive trial and appellate experience. She dedicated over 28 years to the Office of the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, serving in both the civil and criminal divisions as an Assistant U.S. Attorney and Senior Trial Counsel. Cindy prosecuted hundreds of cases ranging from public corruption, federal taxation, commercial disputes, employment discrimination, armed bank robberies, kidnaps, violent gang prosecutions, and civil rights violations to complex financial crimes. She earned numerous awards for her dedication and achievements, including being a three-time recipient of the Department of Justice's Executive Office of U.S. Attorneys Director's Award. She earned her B.A. from Rollins College and her J.D. from Pace Law School.
Cindy delighted in her children's lives and accomplishments—they were her greatest source of pride and joy. She cherished her bond with her siblings and was a tender and supportive aunt to her six nieces and nephews, as well as their partners and children. She was a loyal and generous friend who graciously hosted many joyful gatherings that will be sorely missed.
Cindy will be remembered for her resilience and her commitment to doing what was right. She was a two-time president of the Scarsdale Rotary Club, where she received the prestigious Paul Harris Award for her contributions to the public good. She was an active volunteer and board member for many organizations, such as the Scarsdale League of Women Voters and Hawthorne Country Day School. Cindy was dedicated to supporting America's first peoples as a board member of Lakota Children's Enrichment in service to the Oglala Lakota Nation.
The family would like to express their gratitude to her care team, especially her caregiver, Hyacinth Roberson, and her doctor, Dr. Peter Chei-Wei Pan, at the NewYork-Presbyterian William Rhodes and Louise Tilzer-Rhodes Center for Glioblastoma, for their compassionate support throughout her illness.
A visitation with the family will be held on Friday, November 8, 2025, from 3–7 p.m. at the Edwin L. Bennett Funeral Home in Scarsdale, NY. A funeral service will occur on Saturday, November 9, 2025, at 11 a.m. at the Scarsdale Congregational Church, followed by interment and a reception. Instead of flowers, the family requests donations in Cynthia's honor to the Pine Ridge Girls School or the Scarsdale Congregational Church.