Cynthia Groszkiewicz

Cynthia Groszkiewicz died peacefully on October 6, 2023, in the care of Richard Groszkiewicz, her husband of 48 years, following complications from Parkinson’s Disease, MS, and lung cancer. In papers we found after Cynthia passed, she said Rick was her very best friend; without him, none of her life would have been possible. November 16 would have been their 49th anniversary. While Rick and Cynthia did not have children, they dedicated their lives to education and self-improvement and shared a common bond in actuarial science. Cynthia was raised by her mother, Ruth. When Cynthia was 18, her mom was diagnosed with lung cancer. Assuming she had 5 years to live, Ruth decided to do all those things she dreamt of but never did. Ruth surprised herself as she lived well into her 80s; Cynthia attributed her mom’s longevity to a basic principle: Live each day as if it was your last. Cynthia had a magical relationship with Aunt Helene. Aunt Helene made Cynthia feel like a Princess, introducing her to the world of fashion and encouraging Cynthia's imagination at an early age. Cynthia saw the world as an open landscape to be experienced and expressed it through her work and personal interests. The Artist and the Traveler In the late 80’s, Cynthia began traveling frequently. Traveling for Cynthia was essential to her being. One of her favorite places was Bhutan. Other travels included Zimbabwe, Kenya, Botswana, Zambia, Tahiti, Burma, Bimini, Vietnam, Antarctica, Victoria Island, Alaska, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, Santa Fe, Bryce Canyon, Zion, Grand Canyon, Turkey, Spain, all of New England, New York, England, France, Italy, Nepal, Hong Kong, Myanmar, Singapore, Laos, Malaysia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Argentina, Egypt, South Africa, Mt. Everest. By 2005, Cynthia had traveled the world and was a member of the Seven Continents Club. Linking art to her travels, she began to define herself by her art. Cynthia rented a studio and became an accomplished artist, creating hundreds of unique pieces for over 25 years. She started with traditional oil and brushwork and then moved to computer-based art tools. She embraced technology, believing anything was possible in the digital world – one can paint anytime and anywhere. No cleanup was required. One of Cynthia’s favorite projects was painting original pet portraits. She started a business doing this, focusing on creating a representation rather than a likeness. She focused on capturing the essence and spirit of her subject. She used Corel Painter, her chosen art form. Her love of color and texture were central to her life. Her clothing choice reflected this, and décor platforms were eclectic. In one of her speeches, she mentioned that Marilyn Monroe was the person who most influenced her style. The Poet and Author Cynthia loved to write poetry. Over 20 years, she put together three compilations of writing based on her travels and how she viewed life. She took courses to become a Life Consultant and created the course “Who R U,” a deep reflection of self for the reader. Cynthia and a friend collaborated on a book entitled “911”. Her friend influenced her love of poetry; the book combines poetry and Cynthia’s art. She loved football, John Elway, and The Denver Broncos. While working at the Galloway School as a teacher, she developed a math program using Football statistics to teach sixth-grade mathematics. The Actuary Cynthia received her B.S. degree from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and her Master of Actuarial Science from Georgia State University. After moving to Georgia, she decided to pursue a career in Actuarial Science, and that is when she met Rick in 1974. He was studying in the Actual Science Program at Georgia State University and tutoring students. Cynthia was the first actuarial student that he taught. In 2014, Cynthia received the Edward E. Burrows Distinguished Achievement Award. The award is presented annually to a pension actuary who has set an example for other pension actuaries by their actions. This actuary has gone above and beyond in advancing ethics, education, beneficial legislation, or regulations (or such other actions as the selection committee deems appropriate) that enhance the private pension system or the professionalism of enrolled actuaries within the private pension system. Ed Burrows was a beacon in this regard, and ASEA honors him by presenting an award that recognizes those who follow his example. Cynthia was an Associate of the Society of Actuaries, a Member of the American Academy of Actuaries, an Actuary enrolled by the Joint Board qualified to perform actuarial services under ERISA, and a Member and Qualified Plan Administrator, American Society of Pension Actuaries. Cynthia was an active proponent of the national retirement plan policy and education. As an American Society of Pension Actuaries member, Cynthia served as a Member of the Board of Directors, Treasurer, and Executive Committee Member. Cynthia served as a Member of the Board of Directors and Founder of the American Society of Pension Actuaries Benefits Council of Atlanta. Her professional and community involvement included roles as the Georgia Liaison and Speaker, Internal Revenue Service Employee Benefits Conference, Mid Atlantic Region, Practitioner Liaison, Gulf States Region, and Member, American Society of Pension Actuaries Government Affairs Committee.Cynthia authored several articles, including “How to Repair a Broken Plan with Testing Techniques,” published in CCH Benefit Plan Compliance; was a regular 401k columnist for Panel Publications, “MUT Made Easy,” “Lions, Tigers & Bears” and “The Zen of 401(k)”. Cynthia was Editor-in-Chief The Pension Actuary. Cynthia was a frequent speaker on benefit issues, including the ASPA One Day Workshops, Enrolled Actuaries Meeting, The Georgia Medical Office Management, CORBEL Workshop, Annual and Summer Conferences of ASPA, and speaker for the Internal Revenue Service Employee Benefits.To assist pension actuaries with complex calculations, Cynthia developed customized software for plan actuarial valuations, contribution allocations, discrimination testing, cross-testing, super integrated and age-weighted profit sharing V Subsection 410(b) Subsection 401(a)(26). Other Interesting Facts Cynthia’s love of football was well known. She regularly played fantasy football, and in 2008, she traveled to the Pro Bowl in Hawaii. In addition to football, Cynthia will tell you her favorite sport was Monster Trucks. She went to a Monster Truck event in Las Vegas. Cynthia was athletic too; she lettered in high school in the shot-put and 220-yard dash. Cynthia was committed to physical fitness; she spent her final 30 years working out with the same trainer at the same gym a minimum of 2 times a week. In her last 2 years, she worked out with that trainer 4x a week. She worked out up until the day she could no longer stand up. That took incredible bravery and courage. For fun, Cynthia became an Ordained Minister. It was something to do. Cynthia is a descendant of Benjamin Rush, a signatory of the Declaration of Independence and the street that bears his name, Rush Street. We will miss you; thank you for sharing your life and lessons with us. On October 22, 2022, Cynthia invited 135 of her closest friends to her Life Celebration. It was a huge party and a success. In preparation for her celebration, Shane McDonald, a local artist and friend, painted the above portrait. Cynthia knew her time would likely end in the forthcoming year. She was right. She was clever that way. Cynthia was fearless. She did not complain; she knew her life would differ from what she and Rick expected. She was motivated to live as if each day were her last, just like her Mom. Cynthia, being Cynthia, liked Jimi Hendrix’ quote, “I’m the one who has to die when it’s time for me to die – so let me live my life the way I want to.” She certainly did that. Cynthia is survived by her husband Richard, sister-in-law Sue (Teri) Groszkiewicz Gann, brother-in-law Ted (Susan) Groszkiewicz, nieces Stefanie and Gillian, and nephews Matt and Adam. In place of flowers, in memory of Cynthia’s incredible life, the family asks that if you are so moved, please consider a donation to MUST Ministries, 1260 Cobb Pkwy N., Marietta, Georgia 30062 or online at https://www.mustministries.org/.