Cynthia Theresa Adele Beach

Posted 8/21/12

Cynthia Theresa Adele Beach, 61, of Honesdale, died on Wednesday, June 8, 2016 at her home surrounded by her family and friends. She is survived by her husband of 40 years, Brian Ashley Beach. The …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Cynthia Theresa Adele Beach

Posted

Cynthia Theresa Adele Beach, 61, of Honesdale, died on Wednesday, June 8, 2016 at her home surrounded by her family and friends. She is survived by her husband of 40 years, Brian Ashley Beach. The couple married January 1, 1976.

Born on February 28, 1955 in Brooklyn, NY, she is the daughter of Thomas Grossman and the late Jean Cummings Grossman Whittaker.

The following was written by Cindy, who strongly expressed her final wishes to her family:

I am looking out at the beautiful colors of the fall season, my favorite time of year. I am dying of cancer. So in a way I think this should be my obituary. Who knows better than me. I was born in Brooklyn, but I was always a country girl. So I got to live most of my adult life in Sullivan County, NY and Honesdale, PA. My parents Thomas Grossman and Jean Cummings. I was so blessed by God to be born into the Cummings family. They were not my aunts and uncles, they were my brothers and sisters, and my friends. Some of the greatest time in my life were shared with them. My extra special blessings were my two sons, Jason VanValkenburg and Brian Beach, also known to most as Beaver (I gave him that nickname).

So what did I accomplish in my life besides my sons? I went to nursing school. Some people might not think that was so special, but I did. I sat with people as they took their last breath, and so many families were very grateful for that. I made people laugh. That was very important to me. I had more friends than any one person deserves. Good friends. The kind you can count on, and each and every one of you know who you are. I have loved, but most important, I WAS LOVED.

Convertibles made me feel so good.

Only white uniforms did I wear during my nursing career, I really was passionate about it (and I think my patients loved it also.)

I have been a person you could come to with a problem. You might not like what I said, but you always knew you would get an honest answer.

I loved Bingo.

I loved motorcycle rides with my husband Brian and Johnny, (my uncle and my brother).

I always showed up for work; principles, I lived by them.

I once won a dance contest with my husband.

I received an award from Catskill Regional Hospital many years ago for my personality. I was the first to ever get such an award, and from what I know, I was the only one to ever receive one.

I made many mistakes in my life, but regretted none, as long as I learned from them.

I never allowed my sons to play sick and miss school (something I am proud of).

I have no idea when my time will come, but to everyone in my life, remember this,

IT WAS A WONDERFUL LIFE; with all its ups and downs, it was WONDERFUL!

Please laugh a lot at my funeral, because all of you have funny Cindy stories. Share them with everyone.

I never liked to be called Cynthia. It did not suit me, but my cousin/sister by choice gave my name to her daughter, and she has done my name well.

“Lonesome Dove” and “It’s A Wonderful Life” were my favorite movies.

Some advice I would like to share:

Never loan money you can’t afford not to get back.

Be a person of your word; if you say you are going to do something, DO IT.

Don’t lie. It will ALWAYS come back to bite you.

But here is the really BIG ONE, it is all about life. This took me a long time to learn. But thank God I got it.

Here it is. Life is about two choices. That RIGHT ONE, or the WRONG ONE, and it is up to you to decide which path you want to take. So always take that split second and ask yourself, “is this wrong, or is this right?”

Work hard for what you need. Don’t expect someone else to give you the things you need or want. WORK for them.

Give your job an honest day’s work for your salary.

Don’t ever steal. If you want something, pay for it.

Country music is the best. You will always find a song that you can relate to. If a friend calls you at 3 a.m., get out of bed and go to them. They need you. If your children make you cry, love them anyway; they are a gift from God.

To have a friend, you must know how to be a friend.

So I guess this pretty much sums up my life. I hope anyone who reads this will learn something from it.

To my family and dear friends, I want to thank you for sharing my life journey. It really was a WONDERFUL LIFE. I shall see you in Heaven, because I learned there really is a God, and He really did love me with all of my faults.

Please do not miss me, because I will be having a great time talking to Jesus.

My last thought. Please do not be afraid to die, but make sure while you are here, LIVE!

— Cindy Beach

Also surviving are her sons Jason VanValkenburg of Lakeville and Brian Beach II and wife Jillian of San Diego, CA; her brother Dwayne Grossman and wife Mary Lou; grandchildren Christopher, Seth and Anthony VanValkenburg. “Sisters in life” Bridget Albano and Laura Sverha and her namesake, Cynthia Rose Sverha; beloved uncles, Patrick, John and Thomas Cummings.

A celebration of Cindy’s life will be held on July 9, 2016 at the Beach Lake Fire Hall, beginning at 3 p.m. Arrangements by Hessling Funeral Home, Inc., 428 Main St. Honesdale.