Cynthia "Cindy" L. Gioia

Cynthia “Cindy” L. (Leinbach) Gioia of Farmington Hills, age 85, passed away in her home surrounded by her family on Saturday, April 18, 2026. Cindy was born in Detroit, Michigan, on October 13, 1940, to the late Etril and Velma (Lane) Leinbach and graduated with honors from Allen Park High School in 1958. After graduation she attended Wayne State University where she studied English Literature and Sociology, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in 1962. It was at Wayne State she met Vito Gioia and the couple would marry in 1965. Cindy served in the Detroit Police Department Women’s Division until motherhood called her to lovingly raise her two children. Once her children were off to high school, Cindy took business classes at Oakland County Community College before going to work as an administrative assistant and office manager for various automotive advertising organizations. She retired from Temple Israel in 2005. Cindy was a brilliant and witty writer, and was an avid reader who went through one book after another. She enjoyed playing mahjong with her friends and traveling with family, be it to Europe from time to time or Up North as often as she could. Cindy is remembered as being an effervescent and dramatic woman who was loving, loyal, and empathetic.

Cindy is survived by her children, Lisa Gioia and Bart Gioia; and siblings, Suzanne Arnost and Jim Leinbach; as well as many nieces, nephews, other family members, and friends.

A private committal service will be held for Cindy at Grand Lawn Cemetery, and the family asks that friends and family gather to celebrate Cindy by sharing memories or raising a toast in her honor.