Cynthia Santoro Gustke -2003 Obituary
Former Elkins City Attorney Cynthia Santoro Gustke, 42, who battled breast cancer since 1997, died Jan. 11 in a Pittsburgh hospital from complications of the disease and its treatment.
“She was a person when something was not right, she made sure it was right,” said former Elkins Mayor Jimmy Hammond, who was also a neighbor of Gustke and her husband, James, on Cherry Street.
“Everybody liked her,” he said.
“The bravery and courage she displayed in her fight with breast cancer was inspirational,” Dr. Brett Rosenblum wrote to James Gustke following Cynthia Gustke’s death. “I’ve never met anyone who was so ‘matter-of-fact’ and ‘no nonsense’ in her approach to her illness,” Rosenblum said.
“It seemed as though she never slowed down, though I’m sure behind the scenes it was very difficult,” he said. “She was able to enjoy life through it all. This attitude I will never forget. She left us all too soon.”
Born in Terra Haute, Ind., Gustke graduated cum laude from West Virginia University in 1982 and from the WVU College of Law in 1985.
Almost immediately she began her legal career in Parkersburg as a Wood County assistant prosecutor. One of the circuit judges at that time was Arthur N. Gustke, the father of James Gustke.
Married in July 1987, Cynthia and James Gustke moved to Charleston for her to work as a disciplinary counsel for the West Virginia State Bar.
In 1990, they moved to Elkins where she worked as an associate and later as a partner in the Busch & Talbott law firm.
In 1997, she formed her own law firm, specializing in civil litigation. She was recognized statewide as a consultant and expert witness in the field of legal ethics and malpractice.
A lecturer on issues of legal ethics at the WVU Law School and at educational seminars throughout the state, Gustke also taught business law at Davis & Elkins College.
In 2000, however, she decided to close her legal practice to concentrate on her health and to allow time for travel. The Gustkes toured extensively throughout the United States and the world, and in the past two years the couple visited Mexico, England, Spain and Italy.
“Cynthia loved life more than anyone I have ever known,” said James Gustke. “She accomplished more, both personally and professionally, than many of us manage to do given twice the time.
“She was amazingly intelligent. We could talk for hours about politics and history, good books and gourmet cooking. We never once ran out of things to say. I am a much better person for having known her.
“She was my best friend and soul mate and I will dearly miss her beautiful smile,” he said. “She could laugh and have a positive outlook on life, even when her situation became very difficult.”
And even when confronted with breast cancer, a foe she faced for over five years, she “displayed tremendous class and strength of will,” he said.
“She would work out in the gym, take long walks with friends, or go on bike rides in the woods with me to stay in shape and maintain her strength,” James Gustke said. “She snow skied in the winter and went on spa weekends in the summer with her girlfriends. You would never hear her complain or dwell on her disease.
“Even though she was known throughout the state as a very good lawyer, many people didn’t know Cynthia had breast cancer until she decided to shut down her office,” he said. “She knew this was a private battle and she didn’t want pity or to burden anyone else with her troubles. All Cynthia wanted was to live a normal, happy life, and she made the most of the time she was given.”
Former Wood County Prosecutor Harry Deitzler said Gustke was a “brave and wonderful person.”
“She distinguished herself representing individuals in need, including women who were sexually harassed in the workplace as well as persons who were injured through no fault of their own,” Deitzler said.
Tom Tinder, executive director for the West Virginia State Bar, said Gustke “was certainly well known and well respected by her colleagues in the legal profession and she served her clients well with her legal expertise.”
“She was just a fine person and her death is a distinct loss to the legal profession and to the community in which she was very active,” Tinder said.
In her first job out of law school, Family Court Judge Jaymie Godwin Wilfong of Elkins worked with Gustke at the Busch & Talbott law firm.
In a card written by Wilfong and sent to Gustke when she was in the hospital, Wilfong expressed gratitude for Gustke being a role model for her.
“As you must know, good examples of lawyers are rare,” Godwin wrote. “Good examples of female lawyers are even fewer. I have been fortunate to be your ‘student’ and friend.”
Godwin, who took her oath as the family court judge earlier this month, also said, “I am forever mindful of your ethics, hard work and great courtroom demeanor. You are really one of a kind.”
Cynthia Gustke was the daughter of Elizabeth Santoro of Hudson, Fla., and the late John Santoro. She is also survived by Mary Leigh Harper of Spring Hill, Fla.
Services celebrating Cynthia Gustke’s life will be in the spring with the time and date announced later. Donations may be made in her name to Hospice Care at 629 North Ave., Elkins, W.Va., 26241, or to the WVU College of Law at PO Box 6130, Morgantown, W.Va., 26506-6130
Cynthia Santoro Gustke -2003 Obituary
