Cynthia Marie Lostoski
September 26, 1954 - April 12, 2026

Cynthia Marie Lostoski passed away unexpectedly on April 12, 2026.

Cindy was a daughter, a sister, and a beloved Aiye and will be greatly missed.

Cindy was a daughter to William and Joan Lostoski.

Cindy was a sister to Suzy, Shari, Sally, and Connie. Her sisters remember her fondly for the fun they had with her in Ohio before the family moved around a bit (Wyoming, Seattle, Indiana, and back to Seattle). The adventures included family vacations, spending time with our extended family, attending fireworks, setting off fireworks, camping, concerts, museums and exploring the Pacific Northwest. Not to mention our yearly Christmas Eve Family Gathering, also known as Lithuanian Delight in honor of one half of our family heritage. Who can forget hide and seek in the dark, cut throat games of croquet, or picking cherries when we lived in Ohio? We will also remember her love of music, books, art, art films, movies, the opera, board games, cooking and her love of all things Speed Racer (not necessarily in that order). She also did beautiful needle work which she gave to all of us.

Cindy wanted to make a difference in the world from an early age. She attended Brecksville High School in Ohio where she was a member of the Youth Council on Human Relations Committee. She then attended the University of Cincinnati where she enjoyed working on the campus radio station and was a DJ on her own late-night show. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Science Degree from Purdue.

While working in the insurance industry she earned certificates from Lincoln National Life in Supervisory Development, from the Health Insurance Association of America in Principles of Group Health Insurance I & II and was she was named a Fellow of Life Management Institute from the Life Office Management Institute. She also worked on getting her master's degree at the University of Washington. She did not stop with just her education but also helped more than one sister edit and type term papers.

Cindy had a varied career and always put more than 100 percent in every position she had. She worked for Lincon National Life as a claims adjuster in Illinois and later in Seattle. She was involved in several grants for the UW, one of which was Children at Risk, as well as a couple for Fred Hutchinson, one for smoking cessation to get people to stop smoking, and another about eating more veggies.

Cindy's last place of work was the Veterans Administration in Seattle. She worked there for over 18 years in many roles where she genuinely cared for the veterans and loved getting them the help they needed. She started as the Executive Secretary for the Chief of Orthopedics, then in Program Support for Orthopedics, and later as the Resident Coordinator and IT Coordinator.

Cindy had the most fun with her nieces and nephews, who she loved unconditionally. Cindy was a loving Aiye to Christopher, Thomas (Yuko), Anthony (Amber), Ben, Andrew (Kristine), Jake, Angie (Markus), Dani, Emily (Josh), and Nick (Jasper), as well as the little league baseball teams she coached. Cindy was a wonderful aunt and was always ready to babysit, play games with the kids, or just hang out. They all have great memories of the outings she took them on, which exposure them to other cultures through museums and restaurants. She took them to the Pacific Science Center, Opera, Medieval Festivals, camping, and to the Ocean. They remarked on her wit and sense of humor. She loved to cook and bake with them. She taught them to play Magic and other games. Cindy also took them to light candles at church. All in all, they all have found memories of her that will help them through her loss.

Cindy put her heart and soul into volunteering for the Pacific Northwest Scottish Highland Games for over 20 years where she connected with her Scottish heritage. She wore many hats at the games including camping, rental, and event coordinator. She encouraged her sisters, and nieces and nephews to get involved in any way they could. When the kids were little, we would camp out at the games, watch the events, and volunteer. At one point she talked all of us sisters into helping remake 50 clan banners for SSHGA.

She was preceded in death by her parents William and Joan Lostoski, and her nephew Christopher Lin and niece Elizabeth McCornack.

She is survived by Suzy Lin (David), Shari McCornack (Robert), Sally Burke (Raymond), Connie Graves (John) and her nieces, and nephews listed above along with her great nieces and nephews: Riley, Hazel, George, Elinor, Vincent, Arianna, and Jolene.

Also please raise a glass to toast Cindy at some point. You can use whatever beverage of your choice or a dram of single malt scotch, which was her favorite. I already did this.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that you donate to the Seattle Scottish Highland Games Association at sshga.org or to a charity of your choosing.

Remembrances from the Nieces and Nephews:

Anthony Lin: All the events we went to expanded my love of the arts and other cultures. From Anime conventions to medieval festivals to the opera.

Ben Lin: Loved her babysitting us as kids and taking us on fun adventures.

Angie Dalton: Her wit. Cindy used to come over and do our taxes for free. She introduced me to the world of zombies.

Dani Burke: How giving she was with her time and knowledge. She kept herself pretty busy but was always happy to help when needed.
Emily Emmett: I think my favorite memories of Cindy Aiye were baking cookies, going to the Science Center, seeing sights like the troll and on other Seattle adventures, and getting involved in the Highland Games. She definitely introduced us to a lot of culture, from food, movies, and music to comedy of all sorts. We definitely lit some candles in some churches, but that also could have been for architecture exposure as well as saying prayers for Christopher and Grandpa.

Nick Graves: My favorite memories of Cindy was her teaching me how to play Magic. She made sure that I grew up with a multitude of interests that I am still into today. She was all in all a big part of who I am today.

Andrew McCornack: After I heard the news, I immediately began to reflect on her role in my life. My conclusion: I'm incredibly lucky to have grown up with a true embodiment of the "cool aunt". Many people talk about such a person in their lives but few can hold a candle to the legendary Cindy Aiye....See more on line.

As the only aiye without children, she ended up as the de facto babysitter/confidant/partner in crime for all of the cousins. I can recall many evenings and weekends spent with her, groaning as she popped yet another tape into our VCR so she could watch some soap opera she'd recorded. Honestly, at the time, I hated it! But looking back, I see this as evidence of someone who lived life completely on her own terms. She knew what she liked, and wouldn't let anything stop her from enjoying it.

Above all, I'm most grateful that she treated me in many ways like an adult, even at a young age. She introduced me to Magic cards almost as soon as I could read, took me to strange art exhibits in the middle of the woods, and let me watch strange movies way before I was ready for them. I grew up thinking these things were normal!

I always felt seen by her, encouraged to be the truest, weirdest, nerdiest version of myself. She was extremely supportive of my various hobbies and activities, and never tried to push me down a more well-trodden path. Spending time with her, you could tell she was both aware of her strangeness and confident in it. These are traits that I've come to see and really value in myself.

She taught me about the value of community: coaching our little league teams, becoming heavily involved in the highland games.
It's no exaggeration to say that I am who I am today in large part because of her. What a boon to have an adult in like her in one's life, one who shows up for you, exposes you to strange art and movies and music, who validates your quirks, and who shows by example how to live life on your own terms, engage in your community, and support your family.

Here are a couple random memories I thought I'd share:

• The ill-fated Fourth of July where her fireworks obsession led to her lighting one of our neighbors on fire

• Playing Magic and watching zombie movies with her and the cousins in Sally's basement late into the night, I couldn't have been much older than 9 or 10.

• Burning my mouth on meat pies with her at countless renaissance fairs and Highland games

• Her insistence on continuing to buy everyone a Christmas present when the family switched to the current gift regime

• When she offered to take me and a high school crush to an art museum downtown for a school assignment, and picked us up in her extremely messy car. As we pushed aside dozens of empty cups and unread newspapers to make room, I remember thinking, this is going to kill my chances with this girl. (note: I definitely struck out with her, though it's hard to say how much effect the car had)

• So many romance novels. Unbelievable amounts of romance novels.

As I said, she was a special lady, and she will be missed. I'm sad I won't be around for her memorial but I look forward to reminiscing with you at Christmas this year. Until then, I'll be thinking of you. Stay strong and take care.

Jake McCornack: Yes! She used to take us to movies, art galleries, and museums. Really liked talking about books. Helped get me into sci-fi and fantasy.

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