Cynthia Rector Frey

Cynthia Rector Frey, 75, died on May 23, 2026, peacefully at home with her husband Vaughn by her side. Cynthia was born in Bowling Green on May 30, 1950, to the late Harold and Ann Martin Rector. She was the second born and oldest girl of eight children, a role she carried with grace, warmth, and steady strength throughout her life. Cynthia was a graduate of Western Kentucky University where she graduated Magna Cum Laude with her mother – one of her most cherished memories. A lifelong educator, she taught at EB Terry Elementary School in Glasgow, Kentucky before moving to Danville in 1986 to teach kindergarten and first grade at Mary G Hogsett Elementary until she retired. She loved all of her students, welcoming them into her classroom with patience, creativity, encouragement and love. Cynthia had a remarkable gift for making every child feel seen and valued, and the impact she made on her students will endure for years to come.
Cynthia is survived by her loving husband, Vaughn Frey, whom she met in Carlisle, Kentucky in July of 1970. They were married on June 29, 1971 at Jackson Grove Baptist Church and had a wonderful marriage of nearly 55 years. She is also survived by sons Billy Frey and John (Jenny) Frey, grandchildren, Olivia, Henry, Rhodes, and Tallie Frey. Of all of her many accomplishments, awards, titles, and honors, her most cherished was being “Gran” to her grandchildren. From playing on the floor, doing art projects, impromptu plays, baking cookies, walking in the yard or just sitting still, her time spent with them was “just the best,” as Gran used to say. She is preceeded in death by her parents and her sister Sally. She is survived by her brothers Duane Rector (Karen) and Ray Rector and her sisters Susan Throneberry (Robert), Nancy Roberts, Judy Mitchell (Mike), and Lisa Heile (Dan). She is also survived by her sister-in-law Lorrain Smoot (John) and brother-in-law Kurt Frey (Sharon), along with many nieces and nephews.
Cynthia led a vibrant and active life filled with creativity and generosity. She was a rank 1 teacher with a Master’s Degree. She was a member of Lexington Avenue Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday School for many years and kept the nursery. She was one of the founding board members at the Community Arts Center in Danville and served for many years on the Danville Beautification Committee. She loved celebrating Danville traditions, such as the Great American Brass Band Festival, hosting multiple award-winning tablescapes each year. She loved music and was a wonderful singer, often listening to music while she gardened, another passion of hers. She and Vaughn opened their home to tours for the Garden Club of Danville and the Garden Club of Kentucky. She was a skilled cook and prepared the most wonderful meals, something she learned at her mother’s side on the family farm in Bowling Green. She loved hosting dinner parties filled with laughter, stories, and tours of the garden while ensuring everyone felt welcomed and cared for. In retirement, she and Vaughn traveled the world, including summer trips to Europe with friends, winters to Florida, and her favorite, going to Hilton Head Island in the fall where she and Vaughn could relax with their favorite books, meals, and ocean views in the South Carolina low country.
In her final years, she was surrounded daily by her “Best Friends” at “Best Friends Adult Day Care” center. She cherished every day with her best friends – conversing, writing stories, painting, enjoying the garden, watching music and dancing. We cannot thank them enough for all of the good work they do and for a most brilliant final chapter. As Cynthia said many times, “It Truly Was a Wonderful Life.” Indeed.
A Mass was held at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church at 10 am on Friday, May 29, 2026. A funeral service was held at 1 pm on Friday, May 29, 2026 at Lexington Avenue Baptist Church. Dr. Bob Baker will officiate. Pallbearers were Vaughn Frey, Billy Frey, John Frey, Eddie Gilkison, Dwaine Green, and Stan Galbraith. Honorary Pallbearers were: Duane Rector, Ray Rector, Robert Throneberry, Mike Mitchell, Dan Heile, Kurt Frey, John Smoot. Burial followed in Bellevue Cemetery. Visitation was held from 4 pm to 7 pm on Thursday, May 28, 2026, at Stith Funeral Home in Danville. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Best Friends Adult Day Care Center in Nicholasville.