CHRISTINE (DEENIE) CUPPENS

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CHRISTINE (DEENIE) CUPPENS Christine "Deenie" Cuppens of Nauwigewauk, NB, passed away peacefully at the Saint John Regional Hospital, NB, on Monday, December 30, 2002, after a brave struggle with cancer. A life of motherhood, service to Canada as a military spouse, a volunteer and as a concerned Christian citizen has sadly come to an end. The many people she touched will miss her dearly, but her gifts of loving, her natural ability to always bring a smile to others, and her warm friendship to many will live on. Born and raised in Saint John, Chris left her home to be a life-long friend, companion and spouse to her military husband, Lieutenant-General Lou Cuppens. They were married on August 13, 1966 and her two children filled her life with a myriad of joys and challenges. A pillar of strength, Chris dedicated her life to raising her children, while constantly moving across the country and abroad on a never-ending adventure, courtesy of Canadas Armed Forces. She eventually settled in Nauwigewauk in 1998 and grew to love her newfound home. As her children grew, Chris channelled her energy and her passion for Christian service as a member, and often as president, of a number of church, municipal, and community volunteer organizations, all the while supporting her military spouse. Most recently she was president of the Ladies Division of the Hampton Golf and Country Club. For her service in Sinai, Egypt (1986 - 87) she was awarded the Multi-National Force and Observers Medal, and most recently, for her lifetime caring and selfless giving of her time and talents in myriads of ways, she was awarded the Golden Jubilee Medal of Queen Elizabeth II. She was predeceased by her parents, John Matthew and Kathleen Inez (Flood) Fitzpatrick; a brother Donald Hugh Fitzpatrick (Anne Marie Fitzpatrick) and a sister Kathleen Inez Seeberger (Rudi). Chris is survived by her husband Lieutenant-General Louis William Francis Cuppens; a son Sean Francis of CFB Gagetown; a daughter Beverly Gretchen (Jason Buckle) of Riverview, NB; her three wonderful grandchildren, Jayde, Connor, and Declan; her three brothers, John Brian (Mary) of Wickham, NB, Patrick James (Helen) of Winnipeg, and Francis Gordon (Mary) of Halifax; her two sisters, Anne Marie OBrien (Fred deceased) of Saint John, and Aileen Elizabeth Markeson (Donald deceased) of Chagrin Falls, OH; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Resting at Fitzpatricks Funeral Home, 100 Waterloo St., with visiting on Tuesday and Wednesday from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Alphonsus Church, Hampton, on Thursday morning at 10:00 oclock. Interment will take place in St. Alphonsus Cemetery. Parish prayers will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday evening at 7:00 oclock. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Canadian Cancer Society or a charity of your choice would be appreciated.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 31, 2002