Ruth M. Cupo

South Plainfield - Ruth Marion Smith Cupo, 80, died peacefully in her sleep on Monday, May 26, 2008 in the Genesis Eldercare Network at The Woodlands in Plainfield.

Born April 28, 1928, she was the eldest daughter of Helena Lempka Smith and Roy K. Smith, Schenectady, NY.

Mrs. Cupo graduated from Draper High School in Schenectady at the age of 15. Near the end of World War II, she was employed as a secretary for the government through the General Electric Company in the Department of Radio and Radar Countermeasures, requiring her to receive top secret clearance. After the war, Mrs. Cupo graduated from Ellis Hospital Training School for Nurses and worked at Glenridge Nursing Hospital and Ellis Hospital as a night nurse and operating room nurse.

In 1952, she married longtime friend, Everard N. Cupo and raised three sons.

An accomplished singer and pianist, Mrs. Cupo was active in the choir of the Second Reformed Church of Rotterdam. NY. After retiring, she enjoyed reading, needlework, crossword and jigsaw puzzles and her music. She was also a life-long fan of the New York Yankees and New York Giants.

In 2006, due to deteriorating health, Mrs. Cupo moved to South Plainfield, NJ to be near her youngest son's family. She later moved into The Woodlands nursing facility where she joined a wonderful community of residents and staff who encouraged her to participate in many activities and ultimately became her friends. She was a ray of inspiration to those who knew her.

Surviving Mrs. Cupo are her devoted husband of 55 years, Everard N. Cupo, of Plainfield, NJ; three sons, John J. Cupo and his wife, Lynn, of North Las Vegas, NV, Steven R. Cupo and his partner, Dr. Daniel L. Engeljohn, of Washington, D.C., and Michael E. Cupo and his wife, Alicia, of South Plainfield, NJ and grandchildren, Stephanie of Feasterville, PA, David Cupo, Michael Cupo, Jeffrey Cupo, Joseph Cupo, Audrey Cupo and Christopher Cupo of South Plainfield, NJ; two sisters, Shirley Lefevre of Beverly Hills, FL and Lee Eldredge of Abington, MA.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, May 31, 2008 in the Viewland Cemetery, Rotterdam, NY.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the McCriskin - Gustafson Home For Funerals, 2425 Plainfield Ave., South Plainfield.