May 3, 1942 - April 9, 2018 Cynthia "Cindy" Grossman, born at home in South Pasadena, died at home in West Los Angeles of congestive heart failure at age 75. She was friends with Nathaniel (Nick) Grossman for over 60 years and married to him for almost 58. Cindy was cremated and her ashes were scattered at sea. Cindy is survived by Nick and by loving and beloved daughters Corinne Lightweaver (Stacey Peyer) and Adrienne Horne (William), Josh Pearson, who was like a son to her, and granddaughter Lia Lightweaver. Cindy attended South Pasadena High School and then earned a B.S. in Home Economics at University of Minnesota. She later earned a Master's in Special Education at California State University, Northridge. Cindy led Girl Scout troops for 12 years and received recognition for her methods. For most of her adult life, she was involved with special education, first for 6 years as a teaching aide at Grandview and McBride Schools and then for 24 years as a credentialed special education teacher at Overland School. She was known for her successes in advancing challenging students and their families. She had a large stable of hand puppets of different species that she would coordinate with a picture T-shirt, earrings, and storybook featuring that species to engage her students. Armed with these tools, Cindy helped her students make many breakthroughs. Cindy's love for and kindness to children was matched by her love for and kindness to animals of all sorts. Her classroom was well-supplied with small animals that served as behavior guides and teaching tools. At home she had an even wider variety: turtles, snakes, lizards, frogs, toads, tarantulas, and small mammals. Seven successive Welsh Corgis herded the family and visitors around the house. Seven successive Holland Lop rabbits bonded to her. She adopted two litters of orphaned baby tree squirrels. Loving kindness was the theme of Cindy's life. She brought beauty into many lives. Her beautiful smile was the first thing that Nick noticed about her. He fell in love with her instantly and got to return to her smile for 60 years. Donations can be made to Descanso Gardens or the .