NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – Cynthia Ann “Cindy” Mortus, 63, died suddenly at her home on Friday, June 10.

She was born May 19, 1942, in Rumford. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Maine. Upon graduation, she was professor of English at Radford College, Radford, Va., before joining Aetna Life and Casualty, where she worked for 19 years.

Upon taking early retirement from Aetna, she founded Wordware Inc., where she was self-employed in desktop publishing. She was a published writer, gifted speaker and teacher, graphics artist and potter. Most recently she was employed by the York County Library System as a reference librarian, a post from which she had recently retired.

Her community involvement included serving as eucharistic minister and participating on several committees at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Yorktown, Va. In addition, she participated at the Community of Christ Church in Poquoson, Va., as a facilitator of discipleship groups, interim speaker and friend to many.

She is survived by her father, Anthony Mortus of Rumford, and by many loving friends. Her gentle spirit will be greatly missed.