Cynthia Yvonne Lanphear

Cynthia Yvonne Lanphear died at Dignity Health Hospital - Mercy Medical Center on July 27, 2025 at 5am. The world knew her as Cyndi and to her husband she was Cyn. She was “Mom” to her Son and Daughter, and “The Best Mother Ever”. She was 78 years old when she passed due to Liver cancer and had been married to Michael for 58 years.

She is survived by her husband Michael, her Son David and her daughter Tera as well as her brothers James and David, sister Charlene, and three grandsons, Dawson, Keaton and Henson, children of her Son David. She is also survived by extended maternal and paternal family – many cousins, nieces, a nephew and aunts.

She was born December 1, 1946 in San Bernardino California to Teresa and Charles Romo. Her mother named her Yvonne Romo. Her father (Charles) changed her name to Cynthia Yvonne in honor of a song he had already written a song for her. He was a Navy musician at the time and later composed and recorded for Columbia Records; He also worked for Lockheed in Burbank CA. Cundi was an only child for 5 years and held a special place in her parent’s hearts. James, Charlene and David were treasured by Cyndi when they each arrived.

Cyndi’s childhood was in Burbank CA until the family moved to Canoga Park CA. Cyndi attended Canoga Park High School. She graduated there in 1964 then attended Pierce Jr. College in Woodland Hills CA where she met her (soon to be) husband Michael Lanphear. They both completed the full two years of Jr. College then he joined the Air Force in 1966. They were married on February 11, 1967 in Chatsworth CA.

Her husband’s Air Force career took Cyndi and family to many places in the United States and six years in Europe (England and the Netherlands). David was born in Michigan and Tera in New Jersey as they criss-crossed the United States. Cyndi volunteered as a Red Cross Dental Assistant in England and delivered Meals on Wheels in the Netherlands. She made a good friend (Joka) while she was in Holland too. She was a talented artist and studied painting in England. She later learned Needlepoint and then Counted Cross-Stitch. After Michael retired from the military in 1986, Cyndi worked at Atwater craft store, the Needlenook. Her stitchery was often treasured gifts to family and friends on special occasions. Cyndi also worked 20 years at Merced’s Sherwin Williams store and retired in 2007. Cyndi and Michael retired in Atwater CA in the home they built. They’ve been active members of the Atwater Church of Christ since 1985.

Memorial Services for Cyndi will be at the Atwater Church of Christ on August 10, 2025 at Noon and she will be interred at the San Joaquin National Cemetery on August 11, 2025 at 1:30pm. Cynthia Yvonne Lanphear is, and will be, missed.