Cynthia Rugg-Thonvold entered our planet on January 3, 1944 and left on January 21, 2026, surrounded by love and the peace she brought so effortlessly into the world. Cynthia was an extraordinary friend, mother, sister, and soul whose joyful spirit had a way of brightening every day. She made life fun—often in the simplest, most beautiful ways.
She is survived by her loving husband, Roger Thonvold, and her children, Shawn Avey and Heather Caldwell, who together carry forward her legacy through their four children and four grandchildren.
Cynthia is also survived by her amazing sisters Hazel and Mary Louis (Murphy) Rugg, and her brother Bill Rugg. She is reunited in peace with her brother Paul Rugg, who preceded her in death.
For all who had the privilege of knowing her, PEACE was more than a word—it was Cynthia’s guiding motto. It flowed through every part of her life, reflected in her clothing, her jewelry, her home, and her presence.
Cynthia, you will be deeply missed. It has been an honor to share life with you.
PEACE be with you.
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**Graduation Dinner in Brownsville, TX** Cynthia, Hazel, Paul, Marsha, Savannah, and Shelby Rugg. We laughed so much on this trip. I’m so grateful to be a Rugg and that I’ve been able to enjoy the Rugg sense of humor my whole life.
**Aunt Cynthia at my Grad School Graduation** Throughout my life Aunt Cynthia was a loving figure who always brought fun and connection when we spent time together. I felt so loved and appreciated when she took her time to come down to South Texas for my graduation from my Masters Program. We spent a beautiful weekend on South Padre Island and walked the beach and collected shells just like we would when we spent time in Puerto Peñasco when I was growing up. Thank you for all the love and for helping to teach me the intrinsic beauty in nature and how the small things connect us to the depths of the world around us. Love you forever, Savannah
**Saturday Morning** The sun has been up for just a few hours, but she patiently awaits you to stir. It is a Saturday, after all. When you do, she greets you with a warm embrace and a morning check in. "Did you sleep okay, was the bed comfy? What do you want for breakfast? What should we do today?" She diligently preps breakfast while you ready for the day. Fruits, orange juice, and a warm Dutch Baby ready from the oven. Roger teases her about something and you can picture her pouting in the kitchen, her trademark 'hmph' before a "Well that's no fun!" You both gather on the patio, the serene calm propelled as the breeze traverses the Catalina Hills. The view is like nothing at home, cacti and rolling hills butting up to Mt. Lemmon. You feel calm, relaxed, and loved. "Where do you want go shopping today?" She always ensures you have a shopping trip with her before school starts, but that also means you get her all to yourself. You won't realize at the time how much it means, but when she's gone, you'll look back and wish you could be there again, in the morning sun, on that patio with just her and the breeze. And of course too, Marmalade, the Orange Tabby, milling nearby.
She was kind, yet sassy. She was fun loving, and adored nature. She called my fiance, Jesse Luna, my "Moon Man." She adored chickens and Siamese cats. She had a sense of self, of who she was, that I hope to harbor someday. Because of my family, including Grama Cynthia, I was able to experience Mt Lemmon regularly, and despite not appreciating it as a child - hindsight is 20/20, and MT Lemmon is now my version of heaven. From now on, when I go, I'll say a little prayer for her, and revisit my memories with her...
Cynthia was such a joy to be around. She had a wonderful and sometimes wicked sense of humor. One of my fondest memories of Cynthia was when she joined my family on a trip to Mission Beach. I always wanted to downplay being a “Zonie”, which just wasn’t cool. Cynthia caught wind of my posing and marched down to the beach wrapped in a beach towel with a road map of Arizona on it, laughing hysterically at her little practical joke. On the same trip, we were eating at Anthony’s seafood restaurant in La Jolla with the entire family, including Jim Bull (appropriately named), Jerrilyne’s new husband, who was a real jerk. He claimed to be a professional surfer, but turned out to be a lazy freeloader. When he ordered steak and lobster, Cynthia said in a whisper you could hear in the kitchen, “Can you believe the balls on that guy?” She was a character, and I loved her and I will miss her a lot.
It’s evident from the lovely tributes, that Cynthia touched many lives in such a positive way. I remember years ago driving to her beautiful home in the valley for her to cut and style my hair. Those trips were just as much about the conversations and laughs as they were about the hairstyle. She was very accomplished at both. Our outings to the Rugg cabin and family holiday gatherings at the Storey’s fill my heart with fond memories of spending time with her. When I think of gratitude, I think of how she enriched my life. Cynthia, you will live on in the hearts of all us. We love and miss you.
Every memory I have of Aunt Cynthia are ones of love, joy, and style. She knew how to have fun and how to love the people around her well. Kind, humble, down to earth come to my mind to describe Cynthia. Trips to Mount Lemon, Puerto Penasco, and anything in between we made memories I'll cherish forever. Phone calls and mailed prayers kept us connected at one time🙏 I love you auntie Cynthia, I'm so lucky to have had a family member like you, and I hope I may carry on your optimism and love 💜
I grew up down the street from Cynthia and was lucky enough to have her as my sweet, plant-loving bonus mom for 45+ years. I fondly remember her being a hard-working woman who fiercely loved her family & friends. She was always so optimistic and encouraging with a huge heart for all of God's creations! And though life got in the way, and I wasn't able to see her as much as I'd have liked in recent years, I've thought of her often and will miss her dearly. I love you mom and pray you're enjoying paradise!
**Mt. Lemon family Thanksgiving** Heather and I brought our families together for Thanksgiving a few years back. It was a special time of bonding and enjoying the peace. Seeing our mothers interacting as girls was a fun experience. Ive had the honor of knowing Cynthia and her family since 1989. I had always admired her edgy free spirit and zest for life. She has so much to be proud of in her amazing children and grandchildren. Rest in peace sweet Cynthia. My love to the entire family. Xo. "One of Heather's besties", Brandy Brown.
**The Rugg Clan** Beautiful memories shared by Murphy today- The full Rugg crew from top left to bottom right. Murphy, Mary, Bill, CYNTHIA, Hazel and Paul. Taken on the steps of our awesome cabin in Mt. Lemon, AZ.
**Graduation Dinner in Brownsville, TX** Cynthia, Hazel, Paul, Marsha, Savannah, and Shelby Rugg. We laughed so much on this trip. I’m so grateful to be a Rugg and that I’ve been able to enjoy the Rugg sense of humor my whole life.
**Aunt Cynthia at my Grad School Graduation** Throughout my life Aunt Cynthia was a loving figure who always brought fun and connection when we spent time together. I felt so loved and appreciated when she took her time to come down to South Texas for my graduation from my Masters Program. We spent a beautiful weekend on South Padre Island and walked the beach and collected shells just like we would when we spent time in Puerto Peñasco when I was growing up. Thank you for all the love and for helping to teach me the intrinsic beauty in nature and how the small things connect us to the depths of the world around us. Love you forever, Savannah
**Saturday Morning** The sun has been up for just a few hours, but she patiently awaits you to stir. It is a Saturday, after all. When you do, she greets you with a warm embrace and a morning check in. "Did you sleep okay, was the bed comfy? What do you want for breakfast? What should we do today?" She diligently preps breakfast while you ready for the day. Fruits, orange juice, and a warm Dutch Baby ready from the oven. Roger teases her about something and you can picture her pouting in the kitchen, her trademark 'hmph' before a "Well that's no fun!" You both gather on the patio, the serene calm propelled as the breeze traverses the Catalina Hills. The view is like nothing at home, cacti and rolling hills butting up to Mt. Lemmon. You feel calm, relaxed, and loved. "Where do you want go shopping today?" She always ensures you have a shopping trip with her before school starts, but that also means you get her all to yourself. You won't realize at the time how much it means, but when she's gone, you'll look back and wish you could be there again, in the morning sun, on that patio with just her and the breeze. And of course too, Marmalade, the Orange Tabby, milling nearby.
She was kind, yet sassy. She was fun loving, and adored nature. She called my fiance, Jesse Luna, my "Moon Man." She adored chickens and Siamese cats. She had a sense of self, of who she was, that I hope to harbor someday. Because of my family, including Grama Cynthia, I was able to experience Mt Lemmon regularly, and despite not appreciating it as a child - hindsight is 20/20, and MT Lemmon is now my version of heaven. From now on, when I go, I'll say a little prayer for her, and revisit my memories with her...
Cynthia was such a joy to be around. She had a wonderful and sometimes wicked sense of humor. One of my fondest memories of Cynthia was when she joined my family on a trip to Mission Beach. I always wanted to downplay being a “Zonie”, which just wasn’t cool. Cynthia caught wind of my posing and marched down to the beach wrapped in a beach towel with a road map of Arizona on it, laughing hysterically at her little practical joke. On the same trip, we were eating at Anthony’s seafood restaurant in La Jolla with the entire family, including Jim Bull (appropriately named), Jerrilyne’s new husband, who was a real jerk. He claimed to be a professional surfer, but turned out to be a lazy freeloader. When he ordered steak and lobster, Cynthia said in a whisper you could hear in the kitchen, “Can you believe the balls on that guy?” She was a character, and I loved her and I will miss her a lot.
It’s evident from the lovely tributes, that Cynthia touched many lives in such a positive way. I remember years ago driving to her beautiful home in the valley for her to cut and style my hair. Those trips were just as much about the conversations and laughs as they were about the hairstyle. She was very accomplished at both. Our outings to the Rugg cabin and family holiday gatherings at the Storey’s fill my heart with fond memories of spending time with her. When I think of gratitude, I think of how she enriched my life. Cynthia, you will live on in the hearts of all us. We love and miss you.
Every memory I have of Aunt Cynthia are ones of love, joy, and style. She knew how to have fun and how to love the people around her well. Kind, humble, down to earth come to my mind to describe Cynthia. Trips to Mount Lemon, Puerto Penasco, and anything in between we made memories I'll cherish forever. Phone calls and mailed prayers kept us connected at one time🙏 I love you auntie Cynthia, I'm so lucky to have had a family member like you, and I hope I may carry on your optimism and love 💜
I grew up down the street from Cynthia and was lucky enough to have her as my sweet, plant-loving bonus mom for 45+ years. I fondly remember her being a hard-working woman who fiercely loved her family & friends. She was always so optimistic and encouraging with a huge heart for all of God's creations! And though life got in the way, and I wasn't able to see her as much as I'd have liked in recent years, I've thought of her often and will miss her dearly. I love you mom and pray you're enjoying paradise!
**Mt. Lemon family Thanksgiving** Heather and I brought our families together for Thanksgiving a few years back. It was a special time of bonding and enjoying the peace. Seeing our mothers interacting as girls was a fun experience. Ive had the honor of knowing Cynthia and her family since 1989. I had always admired her edgy free spirit and zest for life. She has so much to be proud of in her amazing children and grandchildren. Rest in peace sweet Cynthia. My love to the entire family. Xo. "One of Heather's besties", Brandy Brown.
**The Rugg Clan** Beautiful memories shared by Murphy today- The full Rugg crew from top left to bottom right. Murphy, Mary, Bill, CYNTHIA, Hazel and Paul. Taken on the steps of our awesome cabin in Mt. Lemon, AZ.
