Cynthia Crossen Obituary

Our sweet mother, Cynthia Gail Crossen, passed away at 8:30 a.m. on July 3, 2025, in Fresno, California. She was 77 years old.
Cynthia was born prematurely to Raymond and Valeta Nasvall on August 16, 1947, in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Her childhood was marked by frequent moves as her father followed his calling as a Seventh-day Adventist minister. Her early years took her from the hills of Tennessee to West Palm Beach, Florida, then to Savannah, Georgia, Chicago Heights, Illinois, and finally across the country to California-traveling with her parents, grandmother, two dogs, a cat, and birds.
Despite enduring four retinal detachments in her youth, Cynthia persevered. She graduated as co-salutatorian from Fresno Adventist Academy in 1965 and went on to attend Pacific Union College and Loma Linda University.
While visiting her parents in Salinas, California, she met Steven Crossen at church. They married in 1969 and built a life together in Salinas before eventually settling in Fresno. Together, they raised three children: Jon, Erik, and Adria.
Cynthia approached motherhood with great dedication, fiercely loving and protecting her children. Once they were in school, she worked as a Medical Social Worker at a convalescent hospital, offering care and compassion to others.
Later in life, she moved to Paradise, California, to be closer to her sister, Sandra Orrick. Cynthia spent 19 years in Northern California with her daughter, cherishing her home among the trees and wildlife. She had a deep and abiding love for animals-especially her cats and dogs-who brought her joy and companionship throughout her life. She found peace in reading her Bible and watching Pioneer Memorial Church services online. She also enjoyed reading biographies and keeping up with current events through the news.
Eventually, she returned to Fresno to be near her sons and their families. During the last four years of her life, Cynthia lived at Manning Gardens in Fresno. She deeply appreciated the kindness and care of the nurses and staff. During her last days, she found great comfort in the gentle songs of birds outside her window.
Cynthia was a devoted mother and grandmother, and her greatest joy came from time spent with her family. She is survived by her three children and their spouses: Jon and Kristi, Erik and Kristie, and Adria and Chris; her beloved grandchildren: Julian, Keira, and Alexa; her brother-in-law and sister-in-law: Milton and Vavy; and her nieces and nephews: Karin, Val, Cassidy, Megan, Dana, Ginger, Michael, Matthew, Greg, Brenda, and Jordan.
Cynthia will be remembered for her kind spirit, inspiring strength, beautiful smile, quick wit, and her love for all creatures great and small. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. Her memory will live on in the hearts of her family and friends.
A private memorial service will be held by the family.
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