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Cindy Honey was a major advocate for the homeless and instrumental in the planning of Dallas' new $21 million shelter, The Bridge.

But the executive director of the Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance never got to step inside the facility. Before it opened in May, Ms. Honey was hospitalized after learning that she had cancer.

Ms. Honey died Tuesday at age 54 after a four-month battle with cervical cancer that had spread to her lungs. A wake is tentatively scheduled from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday at Greenwood Funeral Home at 3100 White Settlement Road in Fort Worth. A funeral service is scheduled at the same location at 11:30 a.m. on Monday.

Ms. Honey did look at photos of The Bridge from a hospital bed and once asked an ambulance driver to pass by the facility on her way home from chemotherapy.
In honor of Ms. Honey, The Bridge's courtyard has been dedicated as "Cindy's Park" and a memorial fund has been created in her name.

Ms. Honey had a long history of working with some of North Texas' most vulnerable people. She became the first executive director of the newly created Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance in January 2004.

Mike Rawlings, Dallas' homeless czar and chairman of the Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance's board of directors, said Ms. Honey's leadership helped greatly increase federal funding for local programs.
He said that he would often seek Ms. Honey's input on homeless issues. When she was in the hospital, he relayed progress at The Bridge.

"There were tears in her eyes," Mr. Rawlings said. "She felt like all her work was paying off."
Friends said Ms. Honey will be remembered for her compassion. Mike Faenza, president and chief executive officer of the Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance, said he admired her "values and heart."
"She had a passion for doing the right thing for people that often other people didn't care so much about," he said. "I learned a great deal from her and found her extremely passionate and spirited in her views."

Ms. Honey is survived by her cousin, Cheryl Lynn Kinnaird; niece, Suzy Tacl; nephew, Christopher Dillon; and her boyfriend, Jim LeMay. Memorial contributions can be made to a fund created in her name. To make a contribution please send a check with "Cindy Honey Memorial Fund" in the memo line to Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance, 1818 Corsicana St., Dallas, TX 75201 or click here to donate online.

A message from Mike Rawlings, MDHA Board Chair

Dear Friends of Cindy,

Each of us knew, respected and loved Cindy very much but I wanted to recognize her work professionally following her passing.

We are fighting a important battle in the life of Dallas and in the lives of thousands of homeless people.  We are progressing further and faster than we planned but we would never have been where we are today if it wasn't for Cindy Honey.  She was an advocate with many of you well before our campaign took shape.  She had the organizational savvy to help create Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance.  She had  the leadership ability to chart courses on many difficult matters like winning money through federal grants and energizing the city to count our homeless population better than anyone was doing it around the country.  She also had the humility to work with rookies like me and teach me the ropes.  She was all about the struggle first and put herself behind others.  Rarely does a human being with such intelligence, grace and human kindness cross our paths.  The city of Dallas and each of us should be thankful today Cindy worked with us and helped lead us.

Thanks Cindy for all you did. ~ Mike Rawlings