Cynthia L Strawn

Cynthia L. Strawn, 45, of San Francisco, died February 5, 2025. Cynthia was born on January 6, 1980, in Canton, Ohio, to James and Barbara Strawn. She graduated from Hoover High School, where she was an accomplished scholar and athlete, part of the swimming and tennis teams. She studied art history and economics at Vanderbilt University, where she was a member of Tri Delta sorority. After college, she spent a year teaching in South Korea before earning a Master of Architecture at the University of Michigan. Cynthia started her architecture career in New York City and most recently spent a decade at BAR Architects & Interiors in San Francisco. She believed that thoughtful, engaging, and timeless design could improve people’s lives and always sought innovative solutions that would create a more beautiful world. Of all the projects she worked on, she found the greatest fulfillment designing affordable housing and mentoring young architects. Cynthia will be remembered for her profound creativity, which she brought to all of her pursuits.

Cynthia had a keen sense of adventure and loved to travel. Her recent adventures took her to Iceland, Greece, Amsterdam, Alaska, Hawaii, and Philadelphia, where she doted on her nephews. She loved making them laugh, playing with them, and surprising them with 3D-printed models of their favorite animals. Whether far away or close to home, Cynthia appreciated beauty and art around her and delighted in sharing it with others. Cynthia’s sharp sense of humor, tremendous intellect, and strength were felt by all who knew her.

She is survived by her mother, Barbara; her sisters, Catherine (Richard) and Christine (Dan); her nephews, Miles, Arthur, and Samuel; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Canton Museum of Art at (cantonart.org) and Friends of the Urban Forest (friendsoftheurbanforest.org). A celebration of life will be held Saturday July 26, 2025 at 12 noon in Christ Presbyterian Church, 530 Tuscarawas Street West, Canton, Ohio 44702 with Rev. Ben George officiating. 

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