CYNTHIA TIMTIM SONEDA, M.D.
CYNTHIA TIMTIM SONEDA, M.D., Age 54, passed away in a traffic accident while out on a morning run, June 19th, 2015, along Kalanianaole Highway. Cynthia was born in Hilo on September 28th, 1960, to parents Shinji and Masuko Soneda. She was valedictorian of Kalani High School in 1978, and then went on to Stanford University, where she graduated at the top of her class in chemical engineering. She returned home for her medical degree from the University of Hawaii, John A. Burns School of Medicine, where again she stood out as a star student. In medical school she fell in love with her anatomy lab partner John Keolalani Timtim, and shortly before graduation, they were married. The young physicians embarked on their shared life together by moving to San Bernadino, CA for their residency training. Although at one point they had planned careers on the mainland, after the birth of their first child they decided to move home instead, where their new family could grow up with island values and enjoy a childhood near all four grandparents. Cynthia touched many lives through her work as an ophthalmologist. She worked at the Kaiser clinics in Punawai and Waipio for more than 25 years and was fiercely loyal to her patients on the Leeward side, though she lived with her family in Kaimuki. She was beloved by her patients and respected by her colleagues for her clinical excellence, caring heart, and tireless service. She was also an inspiration to her daughters, both of whom are now training to become physicians themselves. Cynthia enjoyed sewing as a hobby from childhood, and this skill served her throughout her entire life. She sewed her own wedding dress and later made clothes and Halloween costumes for her daughters as they grew up. She believed it was this pastime that prepared her hands for a career of suturing the tiniest of eye injuries. Cynthia was an avid runner and ran on the same days, at the same times, every week for years, regardless of the weather. It was her time to relax and reflect. She completed several marathons and inspired her husband and daughters to live active lives. We are comforted knowing that she died doing what she loved. Cynthia gave back to her community and family frequently. Over the years when her elderly father developed Alzheimer's, she patiently cared for him until his passing. For the people she couldn't help in her clinical eye practice, she learned Braille and transcribed novels on her Braille typewriter for the Library for the Blind and Physically Challenged. Cynthia will be remembered for her intelligence, wit and humor, and most of all for the deep love and devotion she showed her family, friends, and patients. She is survived by husband Dr. John Timtim, daughters Sara and Elise Timtim, mother Masuko Soneda, and siblings Brian Soneda, Alan Soneda, and Janice Saiki. Service will be held at Hosoi Garden Mortuary on Friday, July 3rd 2015, at 2:30 PM. Visitation begins at 1:00pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Alzheimer's Association - Aloha Chapter.
Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased
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