Cynthia Gay Mills McGreevy, 81, formerly of Massena

MASSENA -- The children of Cynthia Gay Mills McGreevy wish to announce the passing of their beloved mother on June 24, 2024, at the Canton-Potsdam Hospital, where she had been for a short time.

She was born on April 10, 1943, in Watertown, NY to Lt. Colonel Fay Eliot Mills and Evelyn Ruth Dasno Mills.

Cynthia was raised by her father and stepmother, Yula Almeda Baker Mills, and grew up in Watertown, Buffalo, Lacona, and Massena, NY, having moved to the latter in 1958.

While in Buffalo, she attended modeling school, worked as a model and had a lifelong interest in fashion, design and makeup.

She graduated from Massena Central High School with the class of 1961 and following that attended Northeastern University for a time.

She enjoyed working at the Massena Observer and graduated from the Katie Gibbs School of Business.

On April 17, 1965, she was united in marriage with Philip Taylor McGreevy in Massena. Upon meeting her sweetheart, directly after her move to Massena in ’58, she remarked to her mother “I just met the man I’m going to marry.”

She had a life-long love of horses, and their first date was to go riding with Philip.

Cynthia was a devoted mother and homemaker in the early years and enjoyed raising her three children.

She loved to rescue old linens and quilts and started many friends on their own collections. Cynthia took art and photography classes in adulthood and so much enjoyed the hobby. She enjoyed many crafts and people still have pinecone wreaths and pierced lampshades in their homes that she made for them, to give two examples.

Later she would pursue a career in Library Sciences and was a cataloger at St. Anselm’s Geisel Library for many years. She enjoyed a few positions at St. Anselm College (Bookstore, Switchboard) before retiring from the library in 2001.

She and Philip were valued members of that community for more than 20 years. They returned to the McGreevy family property in Brasher Falls in 2001 and renewed many friendships.

Because of the shared love of old houses, they joined the St. Lawrence Country Historical Society and enjoyed being involved in their various activities. She was also very active on the Class of ’61 Planning Committee and supported many of their events. During all phases of her life, Cynthia had the ability to make lasting friendships.

Cynthia is predeceased by her beloved husband, Philip; her parents and her sister, Diana.

She is survived by her brother, Edward, Sister-in-Law, Sandra; nieces, Tina and Maureen and their families, her three children, Tyler, Thyra and Darrin, daughters-in-law, Donna and Ana, grandchildren, Margot, Philip, Daniel and Allie, as well as numerous Baker cousins in the Watertown area.

There will be a celebration of life on July 27th at 11:00 AM at the Northside Community Church at 41 North Main Street in Massena.

A small reception for close friends and family directly after the service is hosted by the Church.

Donations can be made in her name to the Northside Community Church.