Cecilia graduated, with Honors and "found worthy in character and citizenship", from Huntington Park High School in Los Angeles, CA. in 1961. Some years later she moved to Minnesota with her new husband, Peter Hink, who hailed from there. Peter passed from illness a short time later.

While working in the Crisis Intervention Unit at Hennepin County General Hospital in Minneapolis, she met Mrs. Marian Phelps. Marian and Husband Leland took a liking to Cecilia and developed a wonderful friendship, adopting her into their family. As a frequent weekend visitor, she met David, Leland and Marian's son, on his return to Minnesota, from extended work travel, to assist in building the retirement home Leland had designed to be built in Northfield, MN. Being pre-approved, after a brief courtship and lots of cross country skiing, Cecilia and David were married on November 20, 1982 at Owatonna, MN.

Both being naturalists, loving the outdoors and geology they decided to move out west to be closer to the mountains. They toured the western and coastal states and settled on the Black Hills of South Dakota. Cecilia had relatives and friends there so it was comfortable to relocate there. After an extended search they bought a house in Black Hawk where they lived Merrily Happied for the next 40 years.

Cecilia loved gardening and loved baking bread, cookies and other goods, especially if chocolate was involved. She loved hiking and exploring her Father's world. Spring wildflowers were a favorite. She would accompany David on his prospecting expeditions. She was a member of the Western Dakota Gem & Mineral Society. She helped David serve as President for several years. While there, they discovered society member June Culp Zeitner, a well known author David was familiar with from reading her articles in rock & gem magazines as a boy. This developed into a Blessed friendship. Cecilia and David helped June with proofing and typing for her books and many articles along with other tasks. After June's husband, Albert, went over the Great Divide, June made David her Personal Representative, serving that post for 14 years. Cecilia, David and June would travel in February to Tucson, AZ to escape winter and attend the Annual Tucson Gem and Mineral Show, the largest in the world. A journey to Alaska in 2001, via the Alaska Marine Highway was a highlight. June's last adventure.

Cecilia retired from work in 2008 and began pursuing her many hobbies and interests more fully. She was a master at making gemstone bead jewelry necklaces, bracelets, earrings and Gem Trees. She enjoyed spending time with family. She was a member of HOPE CRC Church in Rapid City and enjoyed Bible Study. She is survived by her husband, David, brother, Byron Gaston, his wife Carol, a nephew, Andrew Gaston, of So. Pasadena, CA. 2 Nieces, Andrea Hill, a grandniece Abigail, grandnephew Oliver, of Leesburg, VA and Niece Margaret Gaston of Ashland City, TN. also her Goddaughter Kristin (Brown) Gulley of Vista, CA.

Memorials may be sent to Hillsdale College, 33 E. College St., Hillsdale MI 49242.

There will be a private memorial ceremony at a future date.