Cynthia "Cindi" Jean Akins

Jul 19, 2025

Cynthia "Cindi" Jean Akins
West Wareham, MA.

Cindi was born June 8, 1957, in Wareham, MA and passed away July 15, 2025. She was a longtime resident of West Wareham, with South Wareham roots, except for when she lived in her Penobscot Homeland on Indian Island, ME in the late 70’s. She lived in Yelm, Washington 1996-2002.

Cindi was a lifelong learner involved with trout farming, babysitting, construction worker for her brother Watie, a self-employed bookkeeper, and was employed by Truax for many years. A few years ago, she became a CNA, working at Royal Cape Cod Rehab Center, Bourne, MA.

Cindi loved life, family, friends, music, outdoor life, the Patriots, and The Wheel of Fortune. She was sassy, feisty, energetic, unapologetic, helpful to so many, and accepting of all. She loved learning and was always down with overcoming any challenges. Her age and size were not a deterrent. She took on many much younger than herself in killer volleyball games at the Waterhole. She was athletic, participating in many sports throughout her life and coached whenever she could. Cindi grew up on Robbins Trout Farm with the trout, the land, and the natural spring-fed water as part of her heart and soul.

Cindi was a proud Penobscot and Cherokee woman. She loved sharing her family heritage and had the skill of quieting a fussing baby with a Penobscot lullaby. She began traveling to powwows with her cousin Thea Akins who often led her astray. She loved visiting her Penobscot Homeland, seeing family and friends there.

Cindi is survived by her mother, Alice Robbins Akins; son, Don M’geso Francis; daughter, Valarie Risser, son-in-law Gary Means, and granddaughters, Kaylynn and Haley; brother, Watie Jon Akins and wife Tricia Tobia-Akins; sister, Victoria Akins and husband Steven Krapf; nephews and nieces, Ethan, Isaak, Mya, William (wife Sharon) Akins; Neeburbunn (husband John), great niece and nephew Ava and Wesley Lewis; ex brother-in-law, Patrick Almenas, special cousin, Stephanie Balboni St. Germaine, and special friends, Helen Rohrbach, Ratana Chek, and the Gabriel family along with so many others special to her life including pets, Bebbie, Junior, and Gracie.

Cindi was predeceased by her father, Watie J. Akins, her stepfather, Lionel Botelho, grandparents Howard and Elizabeth Robbins, Watie Albert and Mildred Akins; and great, great aunt Bessie Keyes Besse.

A celebration of life will be held Sunday, July 20th, at the Redmen Hall, 745 Main Street, West Wareham, MA 02576 from 1:00 to 4:00 PM. A memorial reflection will begin at 2:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, please send a donation in memory of Cindi Akins to the Penobscot Nation Youth Program, 12 Wabanaki Way, Indian Island, ME 04468. Attn: John Neptune. Arrangements by Chapman Funerals & Cremations – Wareham. To leave a message of condolence visit: www.chapmanfuneral.com