Her Story
Creative, adventurous, fiercely loving, and endlessly curious, Cindy Lou Liu lived a life filled with imagination, determination, and an extraordinary appreciation for the beauty of the world around her.
Born Cindy Lou Champagne on October 23, 1958, in Midlothian, Illinois, a small suburb of Chicago, Cindy's artistic spirit revealed itself early. She began drawing as a child and, as a teenager, discovered a passion for jewelry making and silversmithing that would eventually become both a lifelong pursuit and a profession.
A gifted and award-winning jewelry designer, she and her husband, Frank, opened Champagne Jewelers, where her creativity and craftsmanship found a home.
But Cindy's artistic curiosity could never be confined to one medium. She explored painting, glassblowing, raw minerals, gemstones, and nearly anything that sparked her imagination. When something interested her, she didn't simply dabble. She dove in headfirst, determined to understand it, master it, and make something beautiful from it. Her curiosity was boundless, her passion contagious, and her determination sometimes wonderfully stubborn.
She was also a woman of wonderful contrasts. Cool and confident, while vulnerable. Adventurous and spontaneous, yet sometimes anxious about stepping out into the world. She could be the life of the party, making everyone around her laugh, or just as easily find comfort in the quiet of her own space. She was funny, goofy, protective, loving, and entirely herself. Those who knew her understood that there was always more to Cindy than first met the eye.
At 23, Cindy welcomed her son, Miles, into the world in Kansas City. Not long afterward, she met Frank, who would become her husband and life partner. They married in 1992 and together built a life filled with creativity, shared interests, and family.
Among the places closest to Cindy's heart was Clear Lake near Espanola, Ontario, Canada, where she cherished time spent visiting family. Fishing, and the natural beauty of the area stayed with her, and returning there was a dream she carried with her.
Cindy loved nature and possessed a remarkable connection with animals. She found wonder in the natural world, from the smallest stone to the beauty of a quiet lake. She loved to spoil her family on holidays. She loved a good pumpkin pie – not too sweet – with homemade whipped cream, and there wasn’t a sci-fi or scary movie that she hadn’t seen.
Above all, Cindy loved her family. She was a devoted wife, a protective and supportive mother, a loving mother-in-law, and an adoring grandmother. She treasured her mother, her brother and sisters, and the many friendships she made along the way.
Cindy passed away on October 10, 2026, at the age of 67.
Cindy still had adventures she wanted to take. She dreamed of traveling with Frank, exploring new places, and watching her granddaughter grow. She had so much she wanted to teach her, so much creativity to share, and so many experiences she hoped they would enjoy together.
Life was not always easy for Cindy. She faced challenges that tested her strength, and in more recent years, her world became quieter. Nothing could ever erase the vibrant, adventurous, creative woman who had touched so many lives. Her influence remained in the people she inspired, the memories she helped create, and the love she shared.
Cindy leaves behind more than her beautiful creations. She leaves behind a spirit of curiosity, a passion for discovery, and a reminder that life is meant to be explored, even when the journey isn't easy.
She will be deeply missed, forever loved, and always remembered.