Obituary of Cynthia L East

Cynthia “Cyndy” Louise (Strom) East was born September 8, 1939 in Sparta, Wisconsin to Elsworth “Al” Eugene and Leona Marie (White- head) Strom. She entered into eternal rest with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on May 25, 2023 in Chico, California. Cyndy, or “Cyssy”, as she was affectionately known by family members, moved with her family to Chico in 1949 at the age of ten. She attended Notre Dame School, where she made a circle of beloved lifelong friends. She attended Chico High School and graduated with the class of 1957. She was involved in athletics and the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO). She developed her love of art while enjoying many high school art classes, which she continued later at Butte College and Needham’s Studios. She married Laton Montague “Monty” East on June 3, 1961 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. They raised their family in Chico, Orland and Paradise, moving due to Monty’s work with PG&E. They divorced after 20 years of marriage, at which time Cyndy returned to Chico and re-entered the workforce in the health care field. There she made many dear friends who would become more like family than coworkers. Cyndy loved being a homemaker. Flower gardening was her passion. She often shared handpicked bouquets and citrus fruit from her yard. She enjoyed baking, painting, creating silkscreen prints, stained glass projects, and decorating for the holidays. She belonged to a bowling league as long as her health allowed, and then took up Enloe Arthroswim classes, where she enjoyed exercise and yet another community of friends for over 20 years. Family and friends meant everything to her. She traveled to visit relatives far and wide, and later kept in touch through Facebook and phone calls. She made friends everywhere she went. She never forgot a birthday and recognized each and every gift she received with a handwritten thank you note. Cyndy is survived by her children, daughter Monica Soderstrom (Ted) of Chico, and son Brian East (Amy Rawson) of Plainfield, New Hampshire; her biological son Michael Bernhardt (Theresa) of Muskegon, Michigan; brothers Don Strom (Barbara) of Phoenix, Arizona and Brian Strom (Doris) of Lexing- ton, Oklahoma; sister Elaine Hamilton (Steve) of Carmichael, California; sister-in-law Susan Marin of Princeton, California; 5 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and other extended family members. She is predeceased by her parents as well as her brother Elsworth “Al” or “Sonny” Strom. A graveside service will be held at Glen Oaks Memorial Park on Thursday, June 8th, at 10:00 am, with a reception to follow. We look forward to honoring Cyndy with family and friends who are available to join us. Memorial contributions may be made to the Enloe Foundation in her name for Arthroswim program scholarships. Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.brusiefh.com