Cynthia Collins Lach

Cynthia Collins Lach, 79, of Brewster, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by love on Thursday, November 27, 2025. Cindy had a wonderful way of noticing beauty all around her and expressing joy.
She was born in West Palm Beach, Florida  to Clayton W. Collins, Jr. and Nancy C. Collins on November 20, 1946. She and her three sisters Deb, Barb and Margaret had many adventures across the country while their father served with the United States Coast Guard, and for a time the family lived in Sandy Hook Lighthouse.
She met her high school sweetheart Herbert F. Lach, Jr. at Bloomfield High School in New Jersey and in 1964 graduated from Lawrence High School in Falmouth.  She earned a Bachelor’s Degree from UMass Amherst and Master’s Degree in Education from Cambridge College.
Cindy and Herb were married on June 6, 1967. They shared 52 beautiful years together, creating a loving family and lifelong friendships throughout the Cape.
Cindy was an incredibly dedicated teacher for 36 years, including 31 years at Orleans Elementary School. She started teaching kindergarten and then soon migrated into the world of 4th grade. She was selected as Nauset Regional School District’s Teacher of the Year, an honor that she shared equally with her fellow devoted teachers, knowing that it’s a true team effort to support students and families on their learning journeys. 
Cindy inspired her students in so many creative ways that encouraged curiosity, connection, kindness, gratitude, resilience, believing in yourself, a love of learning, and taking care of each other.
Cindy and Herb enjoyed the outdoors, taking the family camping in the White Mountains and Acadia National Park. They held hands on long walks together, especially Nickerson State Park and the Cape Cod Rail Trail.
Thanks to their zest for life and love of nature, we have many joyful memories of sailing Pleasant Bay and exploring other magical places. Their spirits are now happily reunited along with their beloved dogs Midnight, Syrena, and Caper. We are profoundly grateful for our parents’ love, kindness, grace, laughter, and smiles. We’ll always love you and keep you in our hearts.
Cindy is survived by her sons Michael W. Lach (& L. Forest Malatesta) of Brewster and Kenneth Frederick Lach (& Chanda Lach) of Houston, her wonderful grandchildren Sabine, Sage, Sophia and Ethan, and her three sisters and their families. She was predeceased by her husband Herb, the love of her life, on March 9, 2020.
The family is deeply grateful to all who have loved and supported Cindy and her family over the years.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to noon and a Celebration of Life service will be held from noon to 1 p.m.  on Saturday, December 6th at Chapman Funeral Home, 678 Main Street extension, Harwich, MA 02645.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Harwich Conservation Trust online at harwichconservationtrust.org or by mail to P.O. Box 101, South Harwich, MA 02661.
Or to Alzheimer’s Family Support Center online at alzfamilysupport.org.