Cynthia Ross passed away peacefully on February 27, 2025. Cynthia was born on June 10, 1938 in St. Paul, Minnesota to Caroline Lilly Mundy and Harry L Mundy. She graduated from Summit School in 1956 and spent two years in college before joining the Sisters of Mercy Convent for 10 years.

Cynthia moved to Chicago, Illinois and met her husband Robert Ross. They were married for many years and moved to Eureka in 1988. After moving to Eureka, Cynthia became an Ombudsman at the Senior Resource Center, where she worked for 30 years ensuring that care facilities in Humboldt and Del Norte County were caring for their residents properly. It was in this capacity that Cynthia became familiar with the Especially You facility and ultimately told her family that was her choice if she were ever to need long-term care. The family wishes to thank Especially You, Amanda and their staff for the excellent care that Cynthia received.

Cynthia was preceded in death by her grandparents, Leonard and Agnes Lilly, her mother and father, her husband Robert Ross, her niece Chaundra Riggs and her great niece, Donnayah Bell. Cynthia was also proceeded in death by her partner, best friend, and caregiver Eric Zink. After matchmaking from their mutual hair, stylist Steven, Cynthia and Eric became inseparable and were together for 13 years, traveling to many countries and truly enjoying each other’s company.

Cynthia’s long-time friend, Jane Riggan described Cynthia as a true force of nature with great wisdom and great determination. Jane went on to say that Cynthia was a very bright woman, a problem-solver and that she worked hard to make the world better for many people because of her strong sense of justice. Cynthia was also a fiercely loyal, thoughtful and generous friend who was also very devoted to her family. Jane described Cynthia and Eric’s relationship of sharing their mutual love for classical and jazz music, modern art, humor and good food.

Cynthia is survived by a large and extended family. She is survived by her sisters, Sandra Mundy Irvine (Raymond), of Boca Grande, Fla., Jamieson McGrath Marx of Carlotta, CA, her brother, Kent Mundy of Panama City Beach, Fla., and her grandson Michael Coan-Ross (Alisa Coan-Ross). She is also survived by her great-granddaughters, Andrea and Tsifira Coan-Ross as well as her nieces and nephews, Cynthia Irvine and Tara Mctigue, Kali Serotta (Chris Washington), Marishka Riggs, Indicus Riggs (Rachael Riggs), Orion Riggs, Ivory Marx and Atticus Marx. She is also survived by her great nephews and nieces, Christopher Washington, Mishaundra Washington, Nikita Washington, Marisha Ramirez, Shayna Riggs, Osiah Riggs, Ryker Meza and Finn Meza as well as many great nieces and nephews. We also can’t forget to mention Nathan Zink and his family. Our family will greatly miss Cynthia and Eric’s jovial presence at family functions.

A celebration of life is scheduled for May 3 from 12 to 4 p.m. at the Samoa Women’s Club.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Cynthia Ross’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.