Cindy Lay was a true goofball who loved nothing more than to laugh. She was driven and intelligent, and while she did not suffer fools, she was still always a kind, understanding, and empathetic person who could see the good in almost anyone. Despite encountering some major setbacks in her life, Cindy did not let her struggles define her. She kept a boisterous, happy home and fiercely loved her family. She was known and will be remembered as a devoted daughter, a wonderful sister, a loving partner, a sensitive caregiver, a conscientious professional, a powerhouse activist, and a damn good mother.

CHILDHOOD

Born Cynthia Louise Knox on March 10, 1948, the fifth of seven children, she is the only daughter of Wesley Harvey Knox and Ardella Knox, née Hamer. Growing up on Van Gordon Street in Lakewood, Colorado, Cindy and the large Knox brood lived in a small five-room shack, complete with a vegetable garden and outhouse. Though they grew up poor, she had a fond remembrance of this time and could always be counted on to share hilarious stories of her rambunctious brothers and their beloved family dog Rex. Her brothers Dale, Burton, Keith, and Steve all joined the U.S. Navy. Her nearest older brother, Nolan, stayed in Colorado and remained one of Cindy’s closest friends for her entire life. And she was a dedicated caretaker to her youngest brother Vincent. As a young girl, Cindy was especially fond of her mother, and would spend hours listening to Ardella play piano and sing along with her favorite recording artists including Kate Smith and John Gary.

MARRIAGES AND CHILDREN 

Cindy married her first husband (McClung) in 1967 and they briefly moved to California where he was stationed in the U.S. Air Force. Though her first pregnancy tragically ended prematurely, in 1970 she was overjoyed to give birth to a healthy boy, Clinton Dennis McClung. Unfortunately, the marriage was brief and troubled, and Cindy returned to live with her parents in Colorado as a single mom.

Cindy married her second husband (Steadman) in 1976 and they purchased a modern suburban house on Simms Street in Arvada. Cindy’s father Wesley lived with them, as well as a rotating cast of happy lovable dogs (including a droopy, drooly basset hound named Bojangles). For the next decade this home would be a hub for the entire extended family, with large gatherings during the holidays being the norm. Though this second marriage ended in divorce and bankruptcy, Cindy was unfailingly devoted to her family and was a constant source of support and encouragement to her own son, as well as her her step-son Joseph Steadman. She was also a neighborhood “den mother” to many of their friends.

Cindy met her third and dearest husband Evan Lay in 1992, while he was still on active duty in the U.S. Navy. They were married on April 25, 1994 at Jefferson County City Hall, with Cindy’s closest family and friends in attendance. They bought a classic ranch-style house in Wheat Ridge with an extra bedroom for her aging father, space for even larger family gatherings, and a perfect backyard for their beloved dachshund Oscar. Cindy would live in this home for the rest of her life, and the couple surrounded themselves with display cases of beautiful Capodimonte ceramic art. Their home was always shared with extremely happy small dogs, including two more dachshunds (Nickel and Oscar the Second) and a cherished rat terrier/chihuahua rescue named McGruff (the crime dog).

CAREER AND ACTIVISM

In her teens, Cindy worked as a candy striper and nurse’s aid primarily helping elderly patients. She found working in health care interesting and fulfilling, and secured a job as a clerk in the admissions department at Lutheran Hospital. She briefly attended nursing school, but soon had to leave to care for her mother who became seriously ill. Ardella died of cancer in 1975 with Cindy by her bedside. Decades later, Cindy would often cite the difficulties her mother faced within the health care system as her inspiration for getting involved in political activism.

In the later half of the 1990s, her father’s health started to decline due to the effects of dementia, eventually leading to the need for around-the-clock care and resources that only a nursing home could provide. This transition was initially difficult, as Cindy learned first-hand how some facilities would mistreat their patients. She fought and succeeded in getting better quality of care for her father, which led her to become a volunteer ombudsman and nursing home resident advocate for the Denver Regional Counsel of Government. Wesley Knox passed away July 30, 1998 at the age of 85.

Cindy remained at Lutheran Hospital for 39 years, and had advanced to Department Supervisor before retiring in 2004 due to dwindling job satisfaction and encroaching health problems. She credited a lifetime of witnessing the erosion of care caused by the increasingly profit-driven motives of the American health care system for inspiring her early and passionate support of Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act. This led her to volunteer for OFA (Organizing for Action), working tirelessly to champion the ACA and other important Obama Administration initiatives.

Being a Community Organizer turned out to be Cindy’s true calling and passion. She became a powerful voice for progressive policies and was appointed OFA’s Volunteer Leader for Colorado, placing her in charge of planning and hosting events, recruiting and training other volunteers, and building a statewide coalition. In 2012 she was selected to drive in President Obama’s motorcade when he visited Denver, and not only met him in person, but was invited to the annual White House Christmas celebration in Washington D.C. Her dedication, commitment, and hard work proved that one person really can help make a difference.

TRAVEL AND INTERESTS

An avid reader and film lover, Cindy maintained a curiosity and excitement about the world, and frequently enjoyed trips into the Colorado Rocky Mountains, especially when the golden leaves of fall were on the trees. Her son took great joy in helping Cindy plan trips to visit him in Boston and Seattle, organizing a family trip to Vancouver Island (Cindy’s only time outside of the country), and accompanying her on the aforementioned visit to Washington D.C. as a guest of the White House.

HEALTH ISSUES AND DEATH

Cindy spent decades dealing with the complications of Lupus, but did not let the disease slow her down in any meaningful way. Unfortunately, over the last several years of her life she was also subject to the advancement of Alzheimer’s disease. Using the example they learned from watching Cindy care for her father, her husband and son did everything they could to keep Cindy safely in her home for as long as possible, moving her to a nearby memory care facility only when she lost the ability to control her muscles. While the effects of this disease were at times incredibly harsh, Cindy’s essence was unchanged and she remained a giving, joyful, and helpful person who would truly light up when connecting with other people.

Cynthia Lay passed on September 2, 2025 from complications due to Alzheimer’s. She is survived by her son Clinton McClung, husband Evan Lay, brother Nolan Knox, countless nieces and nephews, and that sweet little guy McGruff (the crime dog).

“Throughout her life, my mom was always giving, always smiling, always wanting to share a story and hear a stranger’s tale, and always loved by everyone who met her. I can’t say that my mom was my hero, because she still is my hero, and always will be.” - Clinton McClung

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