Read the obituary for Cindy Locklear, who worked as a nurse in a coronavirus unit in Marlborough

A 62-year-old Northborough woman, who worked as a nurse in the coronavirus unit at Marlborough Hills Rehabilitation & Health Care Center, has passed away after contracting COVID-19.

Cindy Locklear died May 11, her loved ones wrote in her obituary. A native of Marlborough, the 62-year-old previously worked at the Coleman House and Beaumont Nursing Home in Northborough.

“Cindy loved going to the gym, taking walks with her dog, tirelessly working as a nurse and caring for people,” her loved ones wrote. “She was sweet, always helping others and lived her life to make a difference in the lives of so many.”

Locklear’s daughter, Kandi Oliveira, told The Boston Globe her mother volunteered to work in the coronavirus unit.

“She loved taking care of the residents,” she said of Locklear. “She really loved being a nurse. She knew her patients needed her, so she was there.”

Cindy Locklear.

Oliveira told the Globe that her mother had said there wasn’t enough personal protective equipment for workers at Marlborough Hills and that staff were reusing and sharing masks and gowns.

According to the Globe, 21 patients have died at Marlborough Hills since the outbreak began.

Larry Santilli, president and chief executive of Athena Health Care Systems, issued a statement to the Globe on Saturday saying the company would pay for Locklear’s funeral expenses.

“Cindy Locklear was a hero, plain and simple, and we are devastated by her passing,” his statement read, according to the newspaper. “Cindy cared for some of our most vulnerable patients. She was devoted not only to caring for her patients, but lifting up their spirits — and she made a difference in so many people’s lives.”

Funeral services for Locklear will be private. Read her full obituary, shared by Collins Funeral Home, below:

Marlborough – Cindy L. Locklear, 62, of Northborough and formerly of Marlborough died Monday May 11, 2020 at UMASS Memorial Medical Center due to the Covid-19 virus. She was born in Marlborough, the daughter of James and Margaret (Renaud) Locklear and was raised in Marlborough. She was a 1975 graduate of Assabet Valley High School, and in 1989 she completed the Licensed Practical Nursing program. Cindy worked at Marlboro Hills in the Covid Unit. She previously worked at the Coleman House and Beaumont Nursing Home both in Northborough. Cindy loved going to the gym, taking walks with her dog, tirelessly working as a nurse and caring for people. She was sweet, always helping others and lived her life to make a difference in the lives of so many.

She leaves two daughters, Kandi Oliveira and her husband Ney of Marlborough and Ayngel Locklear of South Carolina; three brothers, Wayne Locklear of New York, James Locklear of Washington and Glenn Davis of Westminster; nine grandchildren, Brittney, Isabela, Isaiah, Ryan, Idalecio, Maechelle, Kory, Donneah and Angelika.

Funeral services will be private. Calling hours will be held Friday May 15 from 6-8 p.m. in the Collins Funeral Home, 378 Lincoln Street, Marlborough. All are invited to sign Cindy’s online guestbook at www.CollinsFuneral.com. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Collins Funeral Home.