Cynthia Anne Laird

Cynthia Anne Laird (Cyndi) passed away Tuesday, June 17, 2025 after a long battle with Dementia. She was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan to Arthur and Mary Leona (Brogan) Laird on November 11, 1956. She had a long and varied career, working as a Contract Administrator for Lear Siegler for many years before obtaining a paralegal certificate specializing in Real Estate, working for Mejer and several law firms, finally settling at Chicago Title.

She loved her work but her real joy was her family and animals, not necessarily in that order! Cyndi never married but chose to love her nieces, nephews and cousins' kids as her own. She was the fun aunt who took the kids on numerous adventures, hosted sleepovers and had a legendary Treasure Box the kids were allowed to take a prize from as long as they behaved. She loved any kind of game, but she expected to win, and never lost on purpose, even if she was playing with a 3 year old. She was opinionated, bossy and strict but they adored her. Spending time on Murray Lake or later on Little Whitefish with the Preston family and the rest of the gang was a favorite pasttime. She was a volunteer at John Ball Zoo for over 40 years and was able to travel to Africa twice with her dearest friend Sunni Sjaarda as well as many group Zoo trips with her Zoo friends.

She leaves behind her brother Mike, his wife Dale and daughter Leslie, sister and brother-in-law Shelley and Brian Smith, and their kids, Neil (Charlotte, Mila), Rory and Emilie (Lucas, Rosie), Stacy and Ashleigh, sister Tracy Roper and her daughters, Camryn(Owen) and Darcy Roper as well as too many beloved cousins to count.

A special thanks to cousins Marti Damstra, Jerry Witte and Kath NIckerson as well as the staff at Commonwealth, Kareionna, Donyetta, Myron, Terri, Nakia and Chris Fehsenfeld (thank you for the grilled cheese!) as well as Trinity Health Hospice. Your devotion and care helped Cyndi more than you know.

In Lieu of flowers please consider a donation to a bench at John Ball Zoo in Cyndi's name-

https://www.gofundme.com/f/honor-cyndi-with-a-bench-at-john-ball-zoo?attribution_id=sl:6b377c6c-d515-4f0e-b57e-711afd07b9ec&lang=en_US&utm_campaign=man_sharesheet_dash&utm_content=amp13_c-amp14_t2-amp15_c&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=sms&v=amp14_t2