Susan Lotz Cimbalo
July 11, 1966 ~ August 24, 2022
Susan Lotz Cimbalo, loving mother, sister, and wife, innovative healthcare entrepreneur and executive, and dedicated philanthropist, passed away of leukemia August 24, 2022, surrounded by her adoring family and friends. She lived her entire life in the faith that eternal life was attainable, and her acts displayed it amply.
She was born and briefly lived in Memphis, but was reared in Mountain Brook, Alabama, where she was a champion diver, competing throughout the South. An outstanding student, she graduated with whatever honors were available at the University of Alabama’s undergraduate business school. She greatly enjoyed each of the seven football championships Alabama won since she graduated. She received an MBA from Boston University at the behest and on the nickel of Harvard Management Company, the investment outfit that runs Harvard’s endowment, her employer at the time.
While in Boston, she also met her husband of twenty-eight years, Jeff Cimbalo, while he was a graduate student at Harvard. Most long-time friends of Jeff acknowledge that she made him significantly more sufferable, which would have been her signal accomplishment had she not been so otherwise successful. Together, they lived in Washington, D.C., New York, Alexandria, Charlottesville, and Richmond, Virginia, where her daughter Amelia, now 14, was born.
Susan would tell anyone who would listen about the fact that Amelia was a gift to her from God. For the last ten years or so, the family has lived in Atlanta, Georgia. Amelia has joined her family in worship at the Cathedral of St. Philip there, which has been a boon to inculcating the faith of her parents, and as to which it is their highest hope she continue to cultivate.
She was the daughter of Jack Lotz and Carmel (Duquette) Lotz, both of whom preceded her in death. She is also survived by her two older brothers, John Lotz, of Birmingham, and Karl Lotz, of Pensacola, Florida.
Writing analytics software in her New York apartment while Jeff practiced law there, Susan became a pioneer in the automation and reconciliation of submissions of very large health plans with aging populations’ reimbursement requests to the federal government. Her software inventions saved plans hundreds of millions of healthcare dollars and greatly facilitated the survival of the early Medicare managed care (now Medicare Advantage) plans that are now so common. The massive demand for her services led to the creation of Health Risk Partners in Richmond, which ultimately sustained many hundreds of employees. She enjoyed mentoring and serving those employees as much as the success of the business itself.
After the sale of Health Risk Partners, Susan lent her considerable business acumen and unwavering compassion for others to the charitable world, becoming a leader, contributor, fundraiser and board member of several charities, including those serving the homeless and at risk children. She enthusiastically joined Jeff in their support of the Princess Grace Foundation, USA, in New York, which supports young artists of several stripes.
Susan was dedicated to each thing she undertook to do, and did it with such love, patience, and kindness that one barely noticed how magnificent and broad her talents were. She will be sorely missed by the legions whose lives she touched. A memorial service will be held in Atlanta in October.
In lieu of flowers, she’d like you to either donate to one of the charities on which boards she sat for many years, Agape Youth and Family Center (https://agapeatlanta.org/general-donation/) or Crossroads Community Ministries in Atlanta (https://crossroadsatlanta.org/give/), or find a problem in your community and get to work to ameliorate it, or both. That will make her smile.
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Jeff & Amelia,
A heartfelt condolences on the passing of a great wife & mother. It’s been an honor knowing your family. Susan has always had a beautiful heart. Her smile told of the happiness her family gave her- more so when she said a blessing was on the way—-Amelia. You (Jeff & Amelia are her world. Prayers will be lifted for you both always.
God bless you, Jeff, Amelia, Karl, John, Lara, the whole family. Praying for you. Loved Susan dearly. She was a precious part of my life for 42 years and will always be in my heart! Truly a Saint on Earth.
Our hearts go out to Jeff and extended family. We will love and support Amelia with all of our hearts during this difficult time.
Such a loss for all of us. Susan was always so gracious and warm and welcoming to me and the Elliott family whenever our paths crossed. I’m heartbroken to hear about her death and sending love to you and Amelia at this difficult time.
The Martins are thinking about you and holding you up from Richmond.
Sending prayers and comfort to the Cimbalo family. I’ve been affiliated with Agape for many years and while I never met Susan, I know the organization is better because of her. God Bless.
Thinking you and your family and how amazing and inspirational Susan was. We are here for you and Amelia.
Love
The Bhatias
Sending you all of your love and prayers of peace during this difficult time and incredible loss. A life very well lived. Love from Sara and Philip
Sending Love.
Sending our love and prayers for comfort to the Cimbalo and Lotz families. Susan was a very special and an amazing lady whose incredible accomplishments will live on as her legacy and with her husband and daughter who will love and cherish her for all time. God be with Jeff, Amelia and her brothers and the extended family as you memorialize your beautiful Susan.
In Sympathy, Love and Prayers,
Tom & Doris (Christopher) Learn
Jeff and Amelia,
I am so sad to read this news. Susan was such a beacon of light! She will be sorely missed by the many lives that she touched. You all are in my prayers! With deepest sympathy and love, Sara
I’m so sorry to hear of this. Sending our love and hugs to the Lotz-Cimbalo Family.
Mark Waterman and Katherine Poindexter
(Abe and Deacon’s parents)
What a blessing Susan was to so many people. Her smile was infectious and genuine and she spread her kindness and love wherever she went. I feel blessed to have known her in high school. It seems she has blessed the lives of so many in amazing and wonderful ways. My prayers are with all of her family members. I am sure she has a very special place in Heaven with others who spent their lives serving and being an example of Christ’s love.
We are so saddened to hear this news. Susan was a truly wonderful and inspirational person. Fun to be around and accepting of all stripes. She will always be a part of our Charlottesville and “before kids in NYC” cherished memories. Jeff and Amelia, we
know you will carry on your wife and mom’s special legacy with love.
Such a lovely soul. Will be greatly missed!
I owe a lot of who I am professionally to Susan, and I have never met anyone so prodigiously intelligent and deeply caring. I was privileged to be a part of Health Risk Partners during my breast cancer journey, and she was one of my biggest supporters. I will never forget her kindness and her beautiful smile. I am so deeply saddened by the loss of a great and beautiful light, but grateful that I got to see and feel it. My deepest condolences and prayers for peace to her beloved family.
Be at peace Susan.
Rest with the Lord in your ever golden innocence, my beautiful friend, beloved child of God!
The Sansbury’s extend heartfelt condolences along with lots of love and prayers to Jeff and Amelia.
Dearest Jeff,
My heart broke when I heard the news. Susan was such a love. Bill and I were so taken by her when we met her when you were dating . Bill and I always said she was such a gift as was Amelia to both of you. We have been so touched to be such a part of your lives. Now she will be in heaven with Bill where I’m sure they will continue their good works! Please know you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. God bless you dearest friend. Love, Joan
Jeff, I am so saddened to hear about Susan’s passing. I know she was the light of your life and I remember how proud you were to be her husband, and how your face would light up when ever you spoke of her. I was blessed to have met such a lovely person, and I’m sure her light will continue to live on through your daughter and all your memories.
I am so sorry for your loss Jeff. Susan was an amazing person and she was so instrumental in my career and just the most caring person I have known. I sincerely pray for peace that passes all understanding for you and your family. 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
Sincerest condolences to the family. I worked for Susan as a consultant during HRP days. Brilliant person. Eternal rest grant unto her o Lord and let perpetual light shine upon her.
Heartfelt condolences along with lots of love and prayers to Jeff and Amelia and the Lotz-Cimbalo Family.
Condolences to Susan’s family, she was a terrific woman, leader and human being. I worked at a government agency interacting with Susan as she built her business with integrity and dedication. I am saddened at her loss but I know she will bring joy wherever she rests.
Sending love and condolences to Jeff, Amelia and her extended family. It was a privilege to call Susan my dear friend for 35 years. I will miss her, and carry her in my heart. She was blessing and an inspiration. Highly intelligent and accomplished, she loved deeply and shared her kindness freely. She would remind me to be grateful, not dwell on what I cannot change and to adopt a positive outlook in difficult times because it will draw positive things to you in life. 💕
Jeff & Amelia- I am so saddened ( & surprised) to learn of Susan’s passing. I loved our time on West Avenue, and when both my kids ended up at Bama, we re-connected-sending you both lot’s of love-Heather Smith😘
Jeff and Amelia,
My family and I send our love and condolences on the passing of your wife and mother. She was a very special and loving human being. Her father often referred to her as his “Amazing Grace.” The Cimbalo – Lotz families are in our prayers.
I am so sorry for your loss. Susan has always been a terrific person and she will be missed by all that had the pleasure of knowing her.
-The Gorman Family
Jeff and Amelia – sending love and hugs to you both. Although we were only briefly neighbors in Old Town Alexandria and knew you both before Amelia was born, I always loved my interactions with Susan who to me was as exactly as you describe in your memorial – such a kind hearted person!! John and I are so so sorry for your loss
Jeff and Amelia – sending love and hugs to you both. Although we were only briefly neighbors in Old Town Alexandria and knew you both before Amelia was born, I always loved my interactions with Susan who to me was as exactly as you describe in your memorial – such a kind hearted person!! John and I are so sorry for your loss
Dear Jeff — I am so sorry to hear of Susan’s passing. My best wishes to you and your family at this time.
-Rich Furey
Jeff and Amelia,
I am heartbroken to hear this news. Susan will forever be in my heart. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Hello my friend,
I just heard about Susan’s passing and my heart breaks for you and Amelia. Although I never met Susan, I know how much she meant to you and what a warm wonderful person she was through all you told me. Sending prayers and strength to you from London. Stefanie xx
I have known Susan for 20 years through my husband. She and he were great friends. Susan and I met and took some time to really connect, because Susan was a thoughtful person. She informed my life in many ways with her intelligence, kindness, and her beautiful spirit. She never judged people. She was a pillar of strength and knowledge. I will miss her dearly. All my love to Amelia and Jeff as they mourn her passing. Susan handled it all with amazing grace.
oh my gosh Im so sorry Jeff 😢
For years I would put Susan’s name into the internet to try and find her and this fall I found this announcement. I’m so truly sorry for your loss. I was Susan’s room mate in Copenhagen Denmark as part of her university AIESEC experience. She was a beautiful person and I’m not at all surprised she accomplished so much and made a difference in many lives. I have pictures of Susan from these days if you’d ever like to see them. God bless.
I am still thinking about her now and keeping all of you in my prayers. She was an amazing person and so are you and Amelia.
Jeff & Amelia,
I know Susan was such a special person in so many ways. She will be missed always. Please know I am here for you for anything you may ever need. You are both in my thoughts and prayers. May the pain of your loss ease with time. You are blessed to have so many beautiful memories.
Best,
Tracy