Cindy Lou Soto

Cindy Lou Soto, age 66, of Savanna, IL passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends the evening of September 8th at Genesis Medical Center in Davenport, Iowa. A celebration of Cindy's life will be held from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, September 13, 2025 at Law Jones Funeral Home in Savanna, Illinois.

Cindy was born in Savanna, Illinois, to Mary and Francis Hojnacke and grew up in Sabula, IA, where she mastered small-town charm, quick wit, and a knack for making just about anyone laugh. She graduated with the class of ’77 from East Central High School in Miles, IA. She went on to get her Associate’s Degree in interior design at Scott Community College in Davenport, IA.

On May 15, 1981, fate introduced her to the love of her life, Luis Soto. It was love at first sight, and just a little over a year later, on June 18, 1982, the two were married. Together they raised three children: Christopher (Sara) Soto, Nicholas (Miranda) Soto, and Alayna Soto (Kristy Randall and Keri Nichols - platonic soulmates and best friends). Cindy’s heart truly belonged to her six grandchildren—five granddaughters and one grandson—who quickly learned that “Mommo’s rules” were VERY different from “Mom and Dad rules.”

Cindy worked for 31 years at Invensys in Hanover, IL. For the past 11 years of her life, she worked as a CNA at Big Meadows Nursing Home in Savanna, IL, where she cared for residents as though they were her own family (and probably told them a few jokes she wasn’t supposed to). She loved her work, her coworkers, and the joy of brightening someone’s day.

Cindy was famously unfiltered, a bit quirky, often hilarious without even trying, and absolutely devoted to her family. She loved her family and her dog Milo more than anything. Cindy was the glue that held the family together and went above and beyond to make sure they had anything and everything they needed. There wasn’t a margarita she met that she didn’t like, she was an avid reader and loved to decorate and make her own crafts for herself, family, and friends; making wreaths was her favorite. She didn’t skip a chance to add a touch of beauty to her home and others’ when she could. Cindy never missed the opportunity to photograph everything she liked and the people she loved. She was always trying to capture the moment in a photo. She sang often (not very well but with confidence), cracked jokes at just the right (or wrong) time, and always managed to bring people together with her humor, kindness, and love.

Cindy is survived by her husband, Luis, three children, six grandchildren and her brother, Francis "Michael" (Lynn) Hojnacke. She is preceded in death by her parents, Mary and Francis "Frank".

She leaves behind a family who will forever miss her honesty, loyalty, her laughter, her hugs, and her ability to turn ordinary moments into memories worth keeping. Cindy would want you to remember her with smiles, laughter, and maybe even a little sass.