Cynthia Harward, 77, of Fortuna passed away peacefully following a stroke, with family by her side, on May 29, 2018.

Cynthia was born November 27, 1940 in Stockton, California to parents, James and Alma Jones. She grew up in Stockton, Concord and Sonora, CA. She shared many fun memories of summers at the beaches in San Francisco and Santa Cruz with her cousins and siblings. After moving several times, she settled in Fortuna in 1970.

In 1969, Cynthia met Eldon Harward in Daly City, CA. She cared for Eldon’s children for a year while he served in the Vietnam War. The couple married in December 1970, and they later had two children together. Cynthia and Eldon raised their five children in Fortuna. She was very involved in First Christian Church (later became Grace Chapel) where she taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School for many years. She also taught Sunday School at Church of the Highlands in Eureka. She then enjoyed many years of fellowship and friendship with her family at Redwood Christian Fellowship.

Cynthia loved children. She had a loving and generous heart. Over the years, she took care of a countless number of babies and children in the community. She is known as Grammie and Grandma Cynthia to numerous families. Cynthia enjoyed opening her home to friends and family for games, potlucks, holidays, Bible studies and many other events. She was always hospitable, generous and welcoming; always making guests feel like they were family.

Cynthia was proud of her family and played an active role in the lives of her children and grandchildren.

Cynthia lived a life of love and service, and she will be missed by all who knew her. Her loved ones are comforted knowing that she is in the presence of her Savior, Jesus Christ. 

She was preceded in death by her parents;  daughter-in-law, Janet Harward; son-in-law, Dennis Rose; great-grandson, Kaleb Cooper; first husband, Cleo Crosgrove; and good friend and neighbor, Pam Casacca.

She is survived by her husband of 47 years, Eldon Harward; children; Cindy Cooper (Ed), Bill Harward, Mark Crosgrove (Kim), Jennifer Rose, Sarah Kasso (Brandon); brother, Robert Jones (Helen); and sister, Jan Moore (Tom);  thirteen grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews and cousins, including Nancy Newton of Stockton, and her honorary daughter, Lois Casacca.

The family wishes to thank the nursing staff at Redwood Memorial Hospital and Cal Pacific Medical Center.

In honor and celebration of her life, a graveside service will be held at Sunrise Cemetery in Fortuna at 1 p.m., June 9, 2018 and is open to family and friends.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Cynthia Harward’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.