Zita Mitzi Marie Strauss Cupp

Zita Marie Strauss was born August 22, 1930 in Wheeling, West Virginia. The eldest child of Marie Slatterick and Charles James Strauss, “Mitzi” had four siblings, Jo Ruth, Celia, Charles and Andrew. Growing up in the midst of the Great Depression, she attended St. Michael School and St. Joseph Academy, where she met her future husband James William Cupp who attended Central Catholic High School. On July 10, 1950, Mitzi married her high school sweetheart, Jim, at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, in Wheeling.

Jim and Mitzi lived in Clearview, outside Warwood, on a hill top above Wheeling, West Virginia. Their four children, Christina Marie, Robin Ruth, James William Jr., and Gertrude Mary were all born in Wheeling.

In 1962 the six members of the Cupp family relocated to South Florida, living briefly in Boca Raton before moving to nearby Pompano Beach. In March 1964 the family moved to 36th Street in Pompano Beach and this location became the Cupp homestead for many years. Here, Mitzi guided her children from early childhood through their high school years. During this pivotal time in their lives, she fervently imparted her faith to all of the children.

As parishioners of St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, all four children attended primary school there. Her children graduated from Cardinal Gibbons High School in Fort Lauderdale. As each of her children matured, they married and began their own families: Robin in 1972, Christi in 1973, Bill in 1980 and Trudy in 1987. As the area grew, Mitzi and Jim were one of the founding families of Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church in Deerfield Beach. As a loyal parishioner, faithful church attendance and active membership in the Catholic community were central themes of her life.

With children raised, in the empty nest years Mitzi and Jim moved to the Crystal Lake area of Pompano Beach and lived there from 1999 to 2010.

Many of Mitzi's interests were tied in with activities of members of her family. Husband Jim has been a long time active member of the Knights of Columbus, serving in many capacities there. Mitzi attended many K of C functions in company with Jim and participated in various women's auxiliary activities. They made many friends in the area, throughout the state, and beyond. Keeping in touch with these friends was their social life. During the child-rearing years, the family business was the source of livelihood. Mitzi served as vice-president of Jim Cupp Air Conditioning and worked for many years there as receptionist and bookkeeper.

Starting in the early 1950's Mitzi began her life-long hobby of bell collecting. She became an active member of the American Bell Association and attended many meetings, showings and even hosted a few. Also, Mitzi was an avid reader and devoured many books over the years. Another passion she loved was gardening. She shared her mother's green thumb. Mitzi enjoyed growing various sub-tropical flowers, especially orchids, in the warm Florida climate.

Finally, she truly loved to travel. Over the years Mitzi had wonderful opportunities to visit places in conjunction with business trips, Knight of Columbus trips, visiting family and children in various states, and just traveling on vacation. She's been to Rome, Argentina, Canada, the Caribbean and nearly two dozen U.S. States. She and Jim celebrated her 45th wedding anniversary in the Outer Banks of North Carolina and her 50th anniversary in the hills of north Georgia; both events were large family reunions. In 2002 she visited Poland to attend her grandson's wedding and took the opportunity to visit her mother's home town, Szombathely, Hungary.

A devoted wife, caring mother, faithful Roman Catholic Christian, Mitzi Cupp enjoyed a long life, a quiet life, and a fulfilling life. She lived for her family, and she lived well. She passed away on February 26, 2010.

OBITUARY

Cupp, Zita Marie "Mitzi", age 79, of Pompano Beach, FL, died February 26, 2010. Mitzi is survived by her husband of 59 years, James; her son, James William (Bill); her three daughters, Christina Marie Gilbert, Robin Ruth Burckhardt and Trudy M. Gillevet; her sisters, Jo-Ruth Strauss and Celia Strauss; and her brother, Charles Strauss; 10 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Funeral Mass of the Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 3, 2010, at the Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church followed by interment in the Queen of Heaven Cemetery. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, at the KRAEER FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION CENTER: 1199 N.E. 36th Street, Pompano Beach, FL. A reception will be held at the funeral home from 12 to 2 p.m. after the burial on Wednesday. www.kraeerfuneralhome.com