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October 2, 2026
Services
Friends may visit with the family from 4-7pm on Wednesday, October 7, 2026 at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Rd, Wayne, NJ. Funeral services will be held 10am on Thursday, October 8, 2026 at the funeral home. Interment will be in Crest Haven Memorial Park, 750 Passaic Ave, Clifton NJ.
Cynthia M. Sears (née Rau), of Wayne, New Jersey, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 2, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.
Cynthia was born in New York City and was the only child of the late Andrew and Geneva Rau. She spent her early childhood in Rutherford, New Jersey, until the age of ten, when her family moved to Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Several years later, at the age of fourteen, Cynthia and her family returned to Rutherford, where she graduated from Rutherford High School.
A talented and accomplished student, Cynthia excelled academically and was also a member of the high school band, where she proudly played the clarinet. After graduating with the Class of 1954, she was accepted to Cornell University, where she initially studied architecture before discovering her passion for the arts and ultimately earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.
Following college, Cynthia began her professional career in New York City with the American Petroleum Institute, where she worked as a researcher. After the birth of her first child in 1963, she devoted herself to raising her family and became a full-time homemaker. Years later, once her children were grown, Cynthia returned to the workforce, joining Pella Windows in West Caldwell, New Jersey, where she worked as a window specialist. She remained with Pella for more than twenty years before retiring in 2001.
In 1958, Cynthia was introduced by mutual friends to a young man named Raymond Sears. The two immediately hit it off, beginning a courtship that would become a beautiful and lasting partnership. They were married on September 3, 1960, at Rutherford Methodist Church and began their married life together in an apartment in Lyndhurst, New Jersey. During those early years, their first child, Jeffrey, was born.
In 1964, Cynthia and Raymond moved to Packanack Lake, where their daughter, Stephanie, was born. Wayne would remain their beloved home for the rest of their lives, and it was there that they built a lifetime of memories together.
Cynthia was a devoted wife and mother, but perhaps nothing brought her greater joy than being a grandmother and great-grandmother. Her family was the center of her world, and she treasured every opportunity to be surrounded by those she loved. Whether celebrating holidays, gathering for family occasions, or simply spending time together, Cynthia found her greatest happiness in the company of her family and friends.
Her Christian faith was also an important and enduring part of her life. Cynthia and her family were longtime members of Packanack Lake Community Church in Wayne, where her faith and fellowship with others remained a source of strength and comfort throughout her life.
Cynthia had a wonderful curiosity about the world and enjoyed reading, solving crossword puzzles, and traveling with family and friends. Summers were often spent together in Cape Cod, a place that became especially meaningful to the family. As the children grew older, Cynthia and Raymond continued to return to Cape Cod during the autumn months, creating many cherished memories along the way.
Together, Cynthia and Raymond traveled extensively, exploring destinations throughout the United States and abroad. Their adventures included vacations along the West Coast and in Mexico, as well as an unforgettable journey through Alaska, spending eight days traveling by land followed by eight days at sea. They enjoyed a memorable train journey across much of Canada and took a special cruise aboard the Queen Elizabeth II throughout the Caribbean. Another favorite adventure was an intercoastal cruise from Rhode Island to Florida.
Yet for all the places Cynthia traveled and all the experiences she enjoyed, her greatest passion was never a particular destination. It was the people she shared her life with. She cherished her husband, children, grandchildren, great-grandchild, extended family, and dear friends above all else. Cynthia and Raymond cherished sixty-six years of loving and loyal marriage together.
Cynthia will be remembered for her intelligence, grace, devotion, warmth, and genuine love for those around her. She will be profoundly missed and lovingly remembered as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend.
Cynthia is survived by her husband Raymond Sears of Wayne, NJ, her son Jeffrey Sears of Yardley, PA, her daughter, Stephanie Chuang and Stephanie's husband Lin of Wayne, NJ, four grandchildren; Derek Sears and his wife Bridget of Langhorne, PA, Austin Sears of South Philadelphia, PA, Brennan Chuang of Providence, RI, and Jaelen Chuang of Wayne, NJ, one great-grandson Nolan Sears, and many loving extended family. She was predeceased by her daughter-in-law Donna Sears.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Cynthia’s name may be made to Wayne Memorial First Aid Squad.
If you would like to send a private condolence directly to the family use this condolence section.
Friends may visit with the family from 4-7pm on Wednesday, October 7, 2026 at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Rd, Wayne, NJ. Funeral services will be held 10am on Thursday, October 8, 2026 at the funeral home. Interment will be in Crest Haven Memorial Park, 750 Passaic Ave, Clifton NJ.
October 2, 2026
Services
Friends may visit with the family from 4-7pm on Wednesday, October 7, 2026 at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Rd, Wayne, NJ. Funeral services will be held 10am on Thursday, October 8, 2026 at the funeral home. Interment will be in Crest Haven Memorial Park, 750 Passaic Ave, Clifton NJ.
Cynthia M. Sears (née Rau), of Wayne, New Jersey, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 2, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.
Cynthia was born in New York City and was the only child of the late Andrew and Geneva Rau. She spent her early childhood in Rutherford, New Jersey, until the age of ten, when her family moved to Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Several years later, at the age of fourteen, Cynthia and her family returned to Rutherford, where she graduated from Rutherford High School.
A talented and accomplished student, Cynthia excelled academically and was also a member of the high school band, where she proudly played the clarinet. After graduating with the Class of 1954, she was accepted to Cornell University, where she initially studied architecture before discovering her passion for the arts and ultimately earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.
Following college, Cynthia began her professional career in New York City with the American Petroleum Institute, where she worked as a researcher. After the birth of her first child in 1963, she devoted herself to raising her family and became a full-time homemaker. Years later, once her children were grown, Cynthia returned to the workforce, joining Pella Windows in West Caldwell, New Jersey, where she worked as a window specialist. She remained with Pella for more than twenty years before retiring in 2001.
In 1958, Cynthia was introduced by mutual friends to a young man named Raymond Sears. The two immediately hit it off, beginning a courtship that would become a beautiful and lasting partnership. They were married on September 3, 1960, at Rutherford Methodist Church and began their married life together in an apartment in Lyndhurst, New Jersey. During those early years, their first child, Jeffrey, was born.
In 1964, Cynthia and Raymond moved to Packanack Lake, where their daughter, Stephanie, was born. Wayne would remain their beloved home for the rest of their lives, and it was there that they built a lifetime of memories together.
Cynthia was a devoted wife and mother, but perhaps nothing brought her greater joy than being a grandmother and great-grandmother. Her family was the center of her world, and she treasured every opportunity to be surrounded by those she loved. Whether celebrating holidays, gathering for family occasions, or simply spending time together, Cynthia found her greatest happiness in the company of her family and friends.
Her Christian faith was also an important and enduring part of her life. Cynthia and her family were longtime members of Packanack Lake Community Church in Wayne, where her faith and fellowship with others remained a source of strength and comfort throughout her life.
Cynthia had a wonderful curiosity about the world and enjoyed reading, solving crossword puzzles, and traveling with family and friends. Summers were often spent together in Cape Cod, a place that became especially meaningful to the family. As the children grew older, Cynthia and Raymond continued to return to Cape Cod during the autumn months, creating many cherished memories along the way.
Together, Cynthia and Raymond traveled extensively, exploring destinations throughout the United States and abroad. Their adventures included vacations along the West Coast and in Mexico, as well as an unforgettable journey through Alaska, spending eight days traveling by land followed by eight days at sea. They enjoyed a memorable train journey across much of Canada and took a special cruise aboard the Queen Elizabeth II throughout the Caribbean. Another favorite adventure was an intercoastal cruise from Rhode Island to Florida.
Yet for all the places Cynthia traveled and all the experiences she enjoyed, her greatest passion was never a particular destination. It was the people she shared her life with. She cherished her husband, children, grandchildren, great-grandchild, extended family, and dear friends above all else. Cynthia and Raymond cherished sixty-six years of loving and loyal marriage together.
Cynthia will be remembered for her intelligence, grace, devotion, warmth, and genuine love for those around her. She will be profoundly missed and lovingly remembered as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend.
Cynthia is survived by her husband Raymond Sears of Wayne, NJ, her son Jeffrey Sears of Yardley, PA, her daughter, Stephanie Chuang and Stephanie's husband Lin of Wayne, NJ, four grandchildren; Derek Sears and his wife Bridget of Langhorne, PA, Austin Sears of South Philadelphia, PA, Brennan Chuang of Providence, RI, and Jaelen Chuang of Wayne, NJ, one great-grandson Nolan Sears, and many loving extended family. She was predeceased by her daughter-in-law Donna Sears.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Cynthia’s name may be made to Wayne Memorial First Aid Squad.
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