Rynda L. McCray, 63, of Erie, PA, lost her brave battle with cancer on Saturday, October 19, 2024. She was born in Jamestown, NY on February 10, 1961, to Donald H. and the late Phyliss Ehrhart McCray.

A graduate of Southwestern High School, Rynda continued on to receive her bachelor's degree in Parks & Recreation from Slippery Rock University. Her intrinsic love and passion for wildlife conservation through education for all ages led her to first find a career with the NYS Park System before transitioning into her role as a Naturalist with Allegany State Park. From there, Rynda was a proud Environmental Educator for the Adirondacks State Park.

Just as much as she cherished the outdoors, Rynda treasured her family, driving her to relocate to Erie, PA to be closer to loved ones. Once in Erie, she became Volunteer Coordinator at the Erie Zoo, organizing over 200 volunteers. Customer Service at Lowe's rounded out her working years.

For those who were fortunate enough to know Rynda, they knew that she was not just a light in one's life, but a sparkler. She'd often say, "do what you love and love what you're doing! And if you don't, then change it." Rynda embodied this advice, serving on the NYS Rehabilitation Council as a board member in later years. She even rehabilitated raptors such as owls in her own home thanks to her respected and driven lifelong enthusiasm for wildlife conservation.

Rynda's spirit might appropriately be remembered in the fall foliage with which she was infatuated. Her energy will also be felt in her all-too-familiar reminders she shared: "be your own unique self," and "well behaved women rarely make history."

Rynda leaves behind her father, Donald H McCray of Jamestown; her brother, Rex (Micki) McCray of Jamestown; sisters, Rissy (Michael) Viglione of Erie and Robyn McCray of Jamestown; her niece, Shannon (Bryan) Olson of Jamestown; her nephew, Michael McCray (Ryan Hastings) of North Potomac, MD; her great-niece, Emma Olson; and her great-nephew, Trent Olson.

Besides her mother, Phyliss, Rynda was preceded in death by her brother, Randy W. McCray, who passed in 2013.

The funeral for Rynda will be held at 12:00pm Saturday, October 26, 2024, at Lind Funeral Home. The family will receive friends for two hours prior to the service from 10:00am-12:00pm Saturday at Lind's.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Nature Conservancy or to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology .