Cynthia Ruano
My sister Cynthia lived a wildly fulfilling life. She travelled to every place she wanted to: England, Ireland, Italy, France-practically loving the South of France. She married twice, to Ralph Larson and Hugo Ruano. She produced two lovely children: Chris Larson, and Eric Larson, and she adored her three grandchildren: Jacob Larson, Gaven Larson, and Ariela Larson. She also had a fulfilling career working for the City of Santa Barbara and putting her efforts into the SEIU, in order to gain better wages and benefits for its members.
She was born Cynthia Ansbro, along with a twin sister Franchesca, to Francis and Dorothy Ansbro, in Mount Holly, New Jersey, however her family would travel to Sacramento, Coolidge, Ariz., and El Paso Texas before finally settling in Santa Barbara in 1949. Brothers and another sister would also be added to the family: Richard, Michael and Tina, and she would attend local schools; Hope School, San Roque, Bishop Garcia Diego, UCSB.
Cynthia was an artist all her life (besides being a full-time worker and mother), and leaves many of her works behind her, prints, paintings, quilts, crocheted and knitted blankets, and most of her handmade clothes.
She was that rare combination of kindness, generosity, feistiness, intelligence and sensitivity.
We, her family and many friends miss her.