Cynthia Bounds Galivan

Albany – Cynthia Anne (Bounds) Galivan passed on March 14, 2026, at St. Peters Hospital after two difficult years with complications from cancer. She was the only child of Edgar V. and Catherine T. (Sammon) Bounds, all natives of Albany. Cynthia was raised in the family home on South Dove Street by Second Avenue. She was educated at St. James School, Vincentian Institute (V. I. Class of '59) and received her B.A. in English from the College of Saint Rose, initially teaching high school at Cardinal McCloskey.

Cynthia began teaching college at Hudson Valley Community College in 1965 while taking graduate courses at CSR. She married in the same year and then accompanied her husband while he pursued graduate studies in California. Here she earned her master's degree in English which included an internship in theatre arts from San Diego State University.

They returned to Albany with their first daughter Amanda, and, in their home on Providence Street, Amanda was soon joined by son Brendan and twin daughters Kate and Julie. The family always included at least one well spoiled cat.

As a mother, teacher, community civic leader, and neighborhood advocate Cynthia leaves a litany of friends and admirers from many walks of life. Anyone active in Albany's reform efforts for clean and efficient government learned exactly where Cynthia stood on every issue of importance. She would tell you.

She was a valued voice in the neighborhood groups and an early supporter of CANA and the Neighborhood Resource Center. She was the co-founder of the Albany Taxpayers Association and later served as a Democratic Committee Member for her beloved Manning Blvd/Pine Hills neighborhood.

She retired several years ago as Professor Emeritus in English and Public Speaking and was one of the first Pioneers for remote on-line teaching for Hudson Valley Community College. As a strong Union representative, she passionately accomplished much for her colleagues' professional recognition and fair compensation for her fellow faculty members.

Cynthia lived out her Catholic faith by supporting the Spanish Apostolate at the old St. Patrick's Church and by her very active years in the community food pantry and Family Promise program at her parish of Mater Christi.

Her legendary wit and gregarious manner earned her a loyal and diversified cadre of friends and admirers including the Albany Curling Club members and fellow supporters of SPAC and the Capital Repertory Theatre. Always an English teacher, her command of the language, ever strengthened her serious addiction to challenging crossword puzzles earning her the unquestioned title of Champion of the Grammar Police.

Cynthia is survived by her daughters Amanda S. Galivan of Albany and Katherine D. Kania (Matt) of Cornelius, Oregon, and Amanda's two children Shannon and John Pierce. Tragically, Cynthia was predeceased by Julie Galivan Gregory in 2022 and Brendan Sullivan Galivan who died unexpectedly on February 14th of this year, just one month prior to his mother's passing.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit on Monday March 23, 2026 from 9:00 am to 10:30 am at McVeigh Funeral Home, 208 North Allen Street, Albany, N.Y. 12206. Please enter the funeral home from the rear parking lot entrance only.

Her funeral Mass will begin at 11:00 am at the Parish of Mater Christi, 40 Hopewell Street (Rev. Kenneth J. Doyle Way) Albany, N.Y. 12208.

The Right of Committal will be held immediately after the Mass, at the Bounds family plot, Calvary Cemetery, Glenmont, N.Y.

To leave a message for the family or view other helpful services please visit www.mcveighfuneralhome.com.

Memorial donations in lieu of flowers may be made to Family Promise of the Capital Region, 738 New Scotland Avenue, Albany, N.Y. 12208.