Cynthia Raynor

1953 - 2025

Cindy Raynor was born and raised in Aitkin, Minnesota to Bernice and Albert Dale Ackley on April 21,1953. She moved to the Twin Cities to pursue music education and music therapy at the University of Minnesota. After her graduation and marriage to New Yorker Gary Raynor, her first major job was with the Courage Center in Golden Valley, MN, where she worked as a music therapist, and also established one of the first daycares for brain injured adults in the state.

Cindy especially loved children; babies, toddlers, young schoolchildren up through high school.

After achieving a Masters degree in Special Education, Cindy taught in the Richfield school system and eventually became a Director of Special Education, working primarily with students diagnosed with emotional and behavioral disorders. Retiring in 2016, Cindy and her husband helped care for their first grandson while Juliah, their daughter, and her partner Andy, worked.

Soon three more wonderful grandchildren arrived. She doted on them and they filled her heart with love.

Cindy's relaxation consisted of quiet time at home and walks with her husband and she always made time for Minnesota sports. She loved the Twins, Vikings, and University of Minnesota teams, especially the Lady's teams. Kirby Puckett was her hero. In high school she had played in marching band; she would have preferred to be playing on the field or the court. Cindy also loved to take her kids and their friends on bike rides around Minneapolis lakes.

Cindy's Christian faith was central to her character; She accepted Christ into her heart and life early on and never stopped trying to live up to his teachings and values. Everyone privileged to know or work with her remembers her kindness, fairness, commitment and honesty.

Cindy was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease as the COVID pandemic was winding down.

Her last eight months were spent at Brookdale Eagan Senior memory care. Cindy passed away on August 13, 2025. She leaves her Husband, Gary Raynor, her three beloved children: Joshua, Juliah( and Andrew) and Benjamin (and Xia), her equally beloved four grandchildren: Starlin, Kenzo, James and Kamil; her sister and brother-in-law, Jacqueline and Allen Midthun, and her brother and sister-in-law Craig and Shelly Ackley, and many nieces and nephews.

Cindy was preceded in death by her parents, Albert Dale (Ham) and Bernice Ackley, and by her brother, Barry Trent Ackley.

Any donations to institutions serving children, such as St. Jude's hospital, (www.stjude.org), or Feed my Starving Children (www.fmsc.org),would honor Cindy's memory and her life's work.

In celebration of Cindy's life a service will be held on September 27, 2025 at 11:00am CDT with visitation to begin at 10:15, at Crooners Supper Club, 6161 Hwy 65 NE, Mpls, MN 55432.