Cynthia Glynn Koss

Cynthia Glynn Koss, 82, of State College, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully on January 8, 2026 at her home after a several year battle with Alzheimer's disease.
Cindy was born on January 23, 1943, to Charles and Margaret Foster in Albany, NY. Being the oldest of six children, she had an enduring awareness of fairness. She even counted individual candy pieces allotted to each basket of her three children at Easter. To this day, her children, Stephen, Heidi, and Sarah all have a deep sense of fairness that often seems to be lost in today's world. Cindy had an affinity for children, a gift for connecting with them, and even in late life her face would light up around them. She never found a crossword puzzle she didn't like and would quietly finish puzzles that others left undone such as the Sunday NY Times puzzle that a friend left behind while going for coffee only to find it completed on return without a word from Cindy, who was always loath to attract attention. Cindy also had that rare ability in today's world: to be oblivious to time. This trait led to high quality time with her children during the day, voracious reading well into the night, and being late for almost everything.
Earning a Bachelor's degree in psychology from the Manhattanville College of the Sacred Heart, Cindy did graduate work in elementary education and briefly taught school in Connecticut before leaving with her family for the Upper Peninsula of Michigan where her husband Don had a teaching position at Michigan Tech. It was 85 miles to the nearest traffic light and over 200 inches of snow to contend with, but there was much quality time spent with family and lovely summer days when Cindy would spend many hours agate hunting along the nearby shores of Lake Superior, culminating with a beautiful sunset over the water. Don insisted the move would only last 3 or 4 years, but it was15 years later before they moved to State College and Penn State. Cindy had always been a keen collector of early American antiques as well as enjoying music and the arts, and so our area suited her well. She soon made close friends who played tennis and more importantly met regularly at the Waffle Shop. State College became the home she loved well for the past nearly forty years.
Cindy is survived by Don her husband of 61 years (the first 60 years were great ) and her children Steve (and Jen) Koss of Springfield, VA, Heidi (and Ed Gregory) Koss of Woodinville, WA, and Sarah (and Eric) ten Siethoff of McLean, VA and her grandchildren Elora, Bronwen, Sean, Noelle, Brendan, and Gavin. Cindy is also survived by brothers Chip, Jim, and Mark as well as sisters Debbie and Johnny. Those of us in our immediate family have been profoundly touched in many ways by this very special woman whom we loved dearly. We have been blessed.
A small private funeral mass will be held soon along with a larger celebration of life service later this spring. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the University Women's Club Scholarship Program at Penn State.