Marie Tupa, a loving wife, mother and grandmother, went to heaven on September 12, 2025, at the age of 95. Marie was born in Holman, Fayette County, Texas, to parents Felix and Angela Cernosek Schultz. Marie grew up on a farm during the depression, living a simple life that the depression required. Marie only attended school through 8th grade which was common for girls living in farm communities during this time period. Marie knew the importance of education though, so she earned her GED later in life. Her strong belief in education was also shown by her making sure that her two daughters, Gayle and Tina and her 4 grandchildren all earned college degrees, something Marie was very proud of.
In 1950, Marie made the bold decision as an independent, single, young woman to move alone to Houston. She worked as a babysitter and various other jobs, including production lines at Dentler Chips and a window blind company in the Heights. Her next adventure came in 1954. She made the big decision to travel alone, to Germany, to be with her sweetheart from LaGrange, Julius Victor Tupa, stationed in Bad Kreuznach. They married soon afterwards in Meinz, on a military base. While in Germany, Marie and Julius welcomed their first daughter Gayle Lynn Tupa in 1955.
Marie spoke often of growing up in LaGrange surrounded by all her relatives, attending picnics and tending to the farm, including memories of often sneaking off to the “peace” of the nearby woods lining the pastures. She turned into a dog lover, enjoying her visits with Bo and Archie. Marie was a founding charter member of St Jerome Catholic Church in Spring Branch; Marie and Julius were the first King and Queen of the Houston P.O.L.K. of A. Club, and she was a member of Catholic Daughters, SPJST and KJZT. Marie also spent many years being an active member of the Campbell Woods Civic club.
Marie is preceded in death by parents Felix and Angela Schultz, loving husband of 48 years, Julius Victor Tupa, brothers Felix Schultz and John Schultz. She is survived by daughter, Gayle and husband Tom Boney, daughter, Tina and husband Erik Stankus, grandchildren Jason Boney, Lindsay Boney, Stephen Stankus, Kendall Stankus, great grandchildren Hannah Boney, Brett Boney, and Olivia Boney, along with many nephews and nieces. Mom never let weeds grow under her feet and not in her yard. Mom was our Energizer Bunny, she kept on going. We love you Mom.
A visitation will be held at Waltrip Funeral Directors, located at 1415 Campbell Road, Houston, TX 77055, on September 18, 2025, from 5:00 p.m to 8:00 p.m. The Rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m.
The Funeral Mass will take place at Epiphany of the Lord Catholic Church, 1530 Norwalk Drive, Katy, Texas 77450, on September 19, 2025, at 11:00 a.m.
The Rite of Committal is scheduled for September 19, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery, 12800 Westheimer Road, Houston, Texas
