Janet Lucinda “Cindy” Mancillas

Janet Lucinda “Cindy” Mancillas nèe Adriance, a longtime resident of San Francisco’s Mission District, passed away peacefully holding her granddaughter Lucienne’s hand on August 8, 2016 after a brief illness. The second of four children, Cindy was born in Napa, Calif. to George and Neva Adriance. The family relocated to Moses Lake, Wash., where she enjoyed her childhood and high school years. Cindy and her younger sister, Dorie, moved to “the big city” in 1954 where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in history at San Francisco State University. Soon after, she met and married Richard Mancillas, raising five children and divorcing after 20 years. Cindy supported her family by working as a legal secretary and, eager for intellectual challenge, obtained her master’s degree in social work. She had a thriving therapy practice, which continued well past retirement. Many considered her degree a formality, since she generously listened and gave sage advice to countless people for many years before. Aside from a keen intellect and dry wit, friends and family will remember Cindy’s compassionate heart, having always opened her home as refuge to those in need throughout the decades.