Memories of Cynthia Louise Lay

In memory of

Cynthia Louise Lay

Wheat Ridge, CO

March 10, 1948 - September 2, 2025

Mar 10, 1948 - Sep 2, 2025

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Amber Ore

Shared a heart

Clinton McClung

2016, Wheat Ridge, CO, USA

This is the only OFA event I attended with mom. It was right after the 2016 election and we were all raw and scared. She put everyone at ease and helped them process everything. And also demanded action! It was inspiring to see her at work.

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Comments:

Xena Eckert-Harris

It was clear how powerful and compassionate she was when I met her! She was what I would call a Love Warrior.... Read more It was clear how powerful and compassionate she was when I met her! She was what I would call a Love Warrior. It was clear how powerful and compassionate she was... Read more

Clinton McClung

Cindy and her good friend and coworker Marty, sometime in the 90s.

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Xena Eckert-Harris

Whitney DeSpain

Comments:

Xena Eckert-Harris

I love this pic! It’s like they’re in an 80’s buddy comedy! I love this pic! It’s like they’re in an 80’s buddy comedy! I love this pic! It’s like they’re in an 80’s buddy... Read more

In lieu of flowers, consider a gift to The Barack Obama Foundation.

Learn more & give

Clinton McClung

2012, Victoria, BC, Canada

Mom couldn't manage the walk down to the beach, so we found a nice place to park and watch the sunset over the ocean.

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Clinton McClung

1983, Arvada, CO, USA

This photo of my mom unhappily holding a fish is one of my favorites of her. That look on her face says a thousand words.

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Xena Eckert-Harris

Whitney DeSpain

Colleen O'Holleran

I feel grateful to have known her! What a funny, political, and exuberant woman Cynthia was. My heart is with my friend, Clinton, and the rest of Cynthia's family at this time.

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Clinton McClung

2012, Denver, CO, USA

"I walked in to the meeting room holding my cane," Cindy wrote in an email describing this moment. "Obama immediately said, "We don't want that in the picture. Put your arm around my waist and I'll hold you up." As we were posing, I asked if he'd worked out that morning. Thus the nutty grin on my face."

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Xena Eckert-Harris

Whitney DeSpain

Clinton McClung

Reciting "The Announcer's Test," a classic routine frequently performed by Jerry Lewis, was one of Cindy's favorite parlor tricks. She loved to perform it to the delight of her many nieces and nephews, including this moment where she is teaching it to her niece Aliya in Washington D.C. She continued to recite this in its entirety well into her dementia journey. It was one of those core memories that was simply impossible to forget.

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Clinton McClung

2004, Golden, CO, USA

Family photo at brother Steve's house. L-R: Burt, Vint, Nolan, Cindy, Dale, Mary & Steve and their kids Travis, Wes, and Sean on the bottom row.

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Whitney DeSpain

Clinton McClung

1972, Lookout Mountain, Colorado, USA

Knox Family Picnic. Ardella and Wesley hosting, Cindy in the groovy jacket, and Steve with young Clint in front of him. (Unsure about the others)

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Xena Eckert-Harris

Whitney DeSpain

Clinton McClung

1964, Lakewood, CO, USA

The Knox Family at home. Clockwise from top: Cindy, Ardella, Wesley, Burt, Vint, Nolan, Steve.

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Clinton McClung

2022, Rosie's Diner Aurora, East Iliff Avenue, Aurora, CO, USA

This was a trip out for lunch after a doctor visit. I always tried to plan a fun outing to go along with these visits. One of her favorite places to go was Davie's Chuck Wagon Diner in Lakewood (a staple of her adolescence), so when I found this retro diner to visit one afternoon she was over the moon with nostalgia. We played all the Elvis Presley songs on the jukebox.

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