Julia Ball
Cynthia Ann Foley, 70, broke on through to the other side on Ash Wednesday, February 14th, 2024.
Born to Jean and John Foley on May 20th, 1953 in Portland Maine, she was the second addition to the family behind her sister Linda and succeeded by sister Patti. After many relocations around the country, the Foley family settled in Peoria Illinois, the hub of Caterpillar with whom John was employed.
In Peoria, Cindy’s love for pop culture grew. She consumed books with a voracious appetite and was ensconced in Beatlemania, dreaming of the day Paul whisked her away. A lover of all things New Orleans, Cindy made many trips to the Crescent City where she enjoyed brass band jazz at Bamboula’s and unrivaled meals at Adolfo’s.
She began a family of her own in her first marriage to Charles Lenz of Pekin with whom she created her first son, Andrew. In her second marriage with Michael Ball of Peoria, she gave birth to Christopher and eventually Julia. After a brief stop in Spokane Washington, Cindy and family eventually settled in the San Francisco Bay Area. There, the family expanded with the births of her 5 grandchildren. Her children and grandchildren were her life’s purpose and she never turned back.
Cindy is preceded in death by her parents, Jean and John Foley, Aunt and Uncle Joan and Jim Foley, her sister Linda, her first born son, Andrew, and her dear friend, Dennis Mallow. She is survived by her sister Patti (69), children Christopher (42) and Julia (36), their partners Alysa (36) and Ryan (38), as well as Andrew’s wife, Sita (44). Her nieces and nephews Amy (49), Rebecca (48), Joanne (48) and John (43) Crusen, as well as Eric Fey (31). By the grace of the divine, her five grandchildren, Lola (14) and Ford (11) Lenz, Maya (10) and Willa (4) McDonnell, and Ozzie Ball (4), will continue her lineage.
A memorial for Cindy will be held in Alameda California at Eagles Hall, 2305 Alameda Ave on March 9th from 2-5pm. Love is all you need to join us in celebrating a woman whose baseline was just that; love.
