Cindy Bertrand-Boucher, one of De Anza Appliance’s owners, died on December 27th, 2024 in her San Jose home, surrounded by loved ones.
Cindy’s Family Life
Cindy’s mother, Katherine attended Fremont High School in Sunnyvale. Her father, Donald, raised in Kansas and a veteran of the US Army serving during the Korean War. They met in Sacramento and married in Cupertino. Cindy was born in Sacramento May 2nd, 1957. Soon after, the family moved to Cupertino and welcomed her younger sister, Laura, into the family in the early 60s. Cindy was raised Catholic, receiving her First Communion and Baptised at Saint Joseph’s of Cupertino. Later in life she celebrated her faith at Westgate Church in Saratoga and South San Jose.
Cindy recalls her childhood fondly visiting her grandparents in Oroville. Summers were spent on the lake lounging on Grandpa Bobnick’s pontoon and water skiing and fishing off her dad’s boat. Lunchtimes with Grandma Bobnick included hand scooped milkshakes while watching midday soap operas. When Cindy had the opportunity to visit Grandma and Grandpa Bertrand’s farm in Kansas, she recalled the smell of freshly baked cinnamon rolls and playing with the farm animals. She moved briefly to Oroville to assist Grandpa Bobnick in his later years until his relocation to Sunnyvale. She volunteered as a candy striper at the local hospital, providing emotional care and support to ill children.
Cindy met her soon to be husband, Roger at Monta Vista High School in Cupertino. Then they married August 17th, 1976 after Roger’s graduation. Cindy’s first son, Christopher born in 1982. Her second son Nicholas was born in 1989. Cindy raised her children and lived most of her life in Cupertino.
Cindy’s Professional Life
In 1985 Cindy’s joined De Anza Appliance. During her time she served as Dispatcher, Office Clerk, Bookkeeper, Human Resource Manager, Office Manager, and Executive Secretary over 35 years.
Cindy oversaw the opening of De Anza Maytag Home Appliance Center and showroom in the early 90s, the acquisition of Almaden Appliance in 2000 from the Azevedo family, and the relocation of the offices to Santa Clara in 2018. She served De Anza Appliance with her father-in-law Bill Boucher, husband Roger Boucher, both children Chris and Nick Boucher, two brother-in-laws Earl Boucher and David Schick, nephew Jacob Schick and niece Amanda Schick.
“Mom was the heart of the company. She remembered everyone’s birthdays, anniversaries, and family milestones. Every year at Christmas she asked staff with children for clothing sizes and wish lists and spoiled every employee’s child. Everyone who worked for her became part of the family. When she got ill, her spark was lost but not forgotten.” – Chris Boucher, VP of Marketing & Operations
“Cindy always made time for her staff as people, not just employees. I love telling stories and Cindy always enjoyed every tale taking time out of her day.” – Peter MacConnell Service Manager
Cindy’s husband Roger, and children Nick and Chris still operate De Anza Appliance with the help of Peter, Shaun, and Rita in the office and Gus, Rey, Josue, Ofa, and Marcos in the field. Cindy joined new employees at welcome luncheons. She hosted legendary Christmas Parties and Summer Family Picnics. De Anza Appliance has welcomed 75 employees since opening in 1972. Cindy was there to greet most of them.
Cindy’s Retirement
Cindy started experiencing cognitive decline in 2019 and retired from De Anza Appliance November 2020. After years of testing, she was diagnosed with Lewy Bodies with Dementia during the pandemic. This disease attacks memory and fine motor control. Though her short-term memory was impacted, she never forgot her friends and family. Cindy’s mobility decreased in her final years but lived life to the fullest with the assistance of her family.
Cindy spent her last years watching her family grow. Children Christopher and Nicholas, Brother-in-Law Bill Boucher, nephews Jacob Schick and Daniel Boucher, and family friend Bryan Joo all married. She welcomed Grandnieces Kenley, Kaiya, Sophia, Gianna, and Kelaya into the family. Cindy traveled to Hawaii, Las Vegas, and the Pacific Northwest over the last year. She made the most of every moment she had.
She moved from Cupertino to a transitional condo in San Jose during the pandemic. In 2022 Roger and Cindy found their forever home in the Blossom Valley neighborhood of San Jose. Her new home with an open floor plan hosted holidays and family gatherings. The first Thanksgiving feast was set on folding chairs and tables. Cindy wouldn’t let a lack of furniture stop her family from gathering. Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve in 2024 friends and family gathered round her bed side. Even when she lost her voice her loved ones sang Christmas Carols and watched Holidays specials with her, right up to the end.
Cindy’s preceded by her parents Katherine and Donald Bertrand. She’s survived by her Sister Laura Derrickson, Husband Roger Boucher, Children Christopher Boucher-Lam and Nicholas Boucher, Daughter-in-Law Kirsten Joe, Son-in-Law Brian Lam-Boucher, Nieces Danielle Gomes and Melissa Derrickson, Grand-Nieces Sophia and Gianna Gomes and Kelaya Derrickson, Grand God-Children Melody and Noelle Hughes, Grand-dog Copper, and numerous adopted children of her heart (Gavidias, Hughes, Joos), close friends (Rose and Val), and extended family. Earlier, a small, private viewing occured Saturday, January 11th at Bay Area Mortuary Services in San Jose.
How to Celebrate Cindy’s Life and Legacy
Celebration of Life to be held at Westgate Church’s South Hill’s Campus.
6601 Camdem Ave
San Jose, CA 95120
Saturday, February 22nd, 2025
Celebration begins at 11:00am in the Main Worship Hall
Lunch Following in Case de Fe (B Building)
Attire: Festive Hawaiian. Celebration and Reception held Indoors
You can visit Cindy’s memorial at the Gates of Heaven Catholic Cemetery. Cindy will be at rest with her parents and family nearby
Saint Peter’s Niche, Space #118
22555 Cristo Rey Drive
Los Altos, CA 94024
Saturday, March 1st, 2025
Internment begins at 1:00 PM
Attire: Classy Casual, Prepare and Layer for Cold Weather and Elements Outdoors
Hawaii is a special place to Cindy. Her friends and family will gather at Ho’okipa Beach near Paia in Maui on her birthday Friday, May 2nd, 2025 for a final send off. Please reach out to Christopher Boucher for Details.
In Lieu of Flowers or Gifts, the Family would request donations in Cindy’s Name to the following organizations:
- Bill Wilson Center
- Humane Society Silicon Valley
- Morgan Autism Center
- Scouting America, Silicon Valley Monterey Bay Council
- Second Harvest of Silicone Valley
- Silicon Valley Shakespeare
About De Anza Appliance
Founded in Sunnyvale 1972, De Anza Appliance is locally owned and operated by the Boucher Family. After thirty years in Cupertino, headquarters moved to Santa Clara. De Anza Appliance provides appliance repair to Santa Clara County, Eastern San Mateo County, Eastern and Southern Alameda County, and the Greater Metro area of San Jose. De Anza Appliance provides factory-authorized warranty appliance repair service for the Aga, Cafe, Electrolux, Frigidaire, General Electric, Insinkerator, Lynx Grills, Monogram, True Residential, and Viking appliance brands. In addition De Anza Appliance offers out-of-warranty appliance repair service available for most brands.
If you have any questions about De Anza Appliance or this Press Release, contact Chris Boucher at chris.boucher@deanzaappliance.com or call (408) 996-9111 x101.