The founder and owner of Merritt Island's well-known Cis' Cozy Corner Café, Cecilia "Cis" Marie Alden, passed away on Jan. 22, 2026, at the hospital in Cape Canaveral, Florida, following a courageous battle with pulmonary fibrosis. She was 78.

Cis was such a loving and kind wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She was born on May 26, 1947, in Clifton Springs, N.Y., to Rose E. and Carl F. Sergent. She learned the values of working hard and delivering excellence from growing up on a family farm near Phelps, N.Y.

On Sept. 15, 1964, Cis married Douglas G. Swan of Geneva, N.Y., at the Seneca Army Depot in Romulus, N.Y. His U.S. Army service led the couple to be stationed near Frankfort, Germany. Their beloved daughter Sharon Swan was born there in 1966. Cis loved taking care of and helping people and started working in the restaurant industry in the Canandaigua, N.Y., area upon her return to the U.S. The 70s and 80s were filled with work, enjoying being a mother, enjoying becoming a grandmother, and refining her marksmanship skills from her husband for over 20 years, David Merscher. "She don't miss Cis" was a great shot and a member of the Canandaigua Gun Club.

On Nov. 4, 1997, Cis married her best friend, George Alden, at a private ceremony in Florida. They renewed their vows with their close family in a beautiful shipboard ceremony on Nov. 4, 2022.

After George and Cis moved to the Cocoa Beach area, Cis began to explore restaurant ownership. With her extensive experience and her entrepreneurial drive, the couple opened Cis' Cozy Corner Café in 1999 on Courtenay Parkway on Merritt Island. It quickly became the go-to place for locals for breakfast. For 16 years Cis made sure her beloved customers received the best food for the best price in a spotless environment. The restaurant's popularity led Cis to acquire the space next door to expand the Cozy to serve more customers. Cis thought of her restaurant family as family.

In retirement, Cis and George enjoyed "bucket list" traveling with their children and friends and spoiling their two cherished dogs, Lacey the Shih Tzu and Allie the Dachshund.

Cis was married over 28 years to George, who died just before her on Jan. 17, 2026. She is survived by daughter Sharon Swan; stepsons Rob (Pam) Alden and John (Kara) Alden; sisters-in-law Theresa Hall and Lynda Luc; brother-in-law Gus (Laurie) Alden; granddaughters Hayley (Colten) Salsburg and Camille Sisto; grandsons Sean Swan and Nathan (Alaina) Tooley; great-granddaughters Shyla Swan and Graycyn, Amelia and Charlotte Tooley; niece Jennifer (Sergent) Itara and nephew Brian Sergent; and many friends.

In addition to George, Cis was preceded in death by her parents; her brother Ronald Sergent; and by her brothers-in-law John Luc and Wilbur Hall.