Mary “Madeline” Petro Cupp, 80, of St. Petersburg, FL, passed away on Wednesday, September 22nd, 2021 with her loving husband by her side. She will be remembered by her friends and family for her contagious laugh, bright smile, generous heart, and desire to feed everyone around her.
Madeline was born in 1941 to Orlando Jerome and Lillian Petro in Warren, Ohio. She spent her childhood playing with her siblings, Jimmy and Rosemarie, and their cousins. She graduated from Vienna High School in 1959. She went on to work at Warren General Hospital. There she began her lifelong profession in medical administration.
Madeline left Ohio in search of sunshine in 1966. She struck gold in St. Petersburg, Florida, the sunshine capital of the Sunshine State. Madeline worked for the St. Petersburg Medical Clinic as a medical transcriptionist for most of her career, but eventually retired from Edix Transcription Services.
In 1968 Madeline met David Cupp. They married three years later in 1971 in the backyard of their first home. Madeline and David shared many hobbies and passions. They found enjoyment in boating, photography, riding their tandem bicycle, attending plays and symphonies, and being the original “foodies”. They shared a beautiful life together filled with laughter, family, and friends. Their social calendar was never lacking an upcoming event, party to host, dinner with friends, or family function.
She was a woman of many gifts and interests. A talented artist in ceramics, stained glass, and painting, Madeline was always ready for a new crafty challenge. Her favorite pastimes include swimming in her beautiful pool, decorating her home, reading a good book, gabbing with her with sister on the phone, indulging in wine and cheese, listening to a Rays games on the radio or watching them play on TV – or better yet, attending a game at the Trop, cooking up a new recipe from her Taste of Home magazine subscription, and league bowling with friends. Madeline enjoyed giving her time to the American Heart Association and she found joy in planning their charity events like their annual Heart Ball.
To her family Madeline will always be know as the “hostess with the mostest”. Madeline and David made sure their home was the hub for family functions. From engagement parties to Thanksgivings and Easters to baby showers and Christmas Eve, their home was the place to gather. Madeline had the talent of making the smallest occasions feel special, and the holidays feel easy and cozy. Her welcoming, hospitable spirit was rare, but so cherished by her family. There was never a time her home was not open to those she loved.
Madeline was “that crazy aunt” to her many nieces and nephews. She was known to us as Nanny, Tia, Aunt Madeline, and just Madeline. She made us the best homemade popcorn, treated us to Shirley Temples at Red Lobster, made pizzelles with us, took us for picnics at Sawgrass Lake, made sure we were cultured by taking us to museums and plays, taught us how to play blackjack and bet with buttons, bought us lobster dinners, and encouraged us to push our boundaries with trying new foods. There was never a dull moment with her, and a trip to see her and Uncle David was always looked forward to, even though we were risking our lives with her crazy driving.
She was preceded in death by her beloved pet chihuahua, Penny.
Madeline is survived by her husband of 50 years, David, her brother, James Petro (Gloria), her sister, Rosemarie George (James), brother in law, Michael Cupp (Debbie), sister in law, Janice Birch, nieces and nephews; Deana (John), Mike (Karen), OJ, Stephanie, Lisa (Mike), Brook, Jennifer, Donald (Cheryl), Barbara (Raymond), and Christopher (Anita) and great nieces and nephews; Erica, Marino (Alison), Christopher (Laura), Bella, Sal, Michelle (Luke), and Rachel (Cory), and great-great nieces and nephews; Michael, Colton, Grace, Lillian, Adrian, and two on the way. She is also survived by many wonderful friends.
She is irreplaceable. Life has not been the same since she began to fade away years ago, but we celebrate her now knowing that she is back to her normal wacky, sassy and lovable self.
