Mary Helen Rumazza's Obituary
A Gorgeous Woman. Full of Humor, Patriotism, Generosity & Faith.
November 29, 1912 - November 2, 2011
Mary Helen Strausz was born in St Louis, Missouri on November 29th 1912 at 5:25am. The third and youngest child of Alexander Strausz, Jr. (1872-1916) (born in Wilmington, North Carolina) the Treasurer Street Railroad Company in Texas, Mexico City, Mexico, and the Philippines and Mary Helen Hubbard Strausz (1873-1948), a Homemaker, (born in Jacksonville, Florida) and the Granddaughter of Alexander Strausz (1829–1905) Hungarian-born American brewer, cartographer, architect, mining engineer, industrialist, and school superintendent, who was invited by President Abraham Lincoln and Former United States Secretary of State Edward Everett to play the important roll of creating maps of the Southern States in order to help The North win The American Civil War.
Mary was extremely proud of her American lineage and always said that she came from "good stock." She came from a long line of world travelers and continuing in that tradition she crossed the Pacific Ocean twice by ship before she was 4 and half years old and numerous times throughout her lifetime.
Mary married Louis Paul Crespi on May 10, 1930 in Los Angeles, California and had a daughter Shirley Louise Crespi (Pepping, Gustin) on July 1, 1932 and was thrilled to be the Grandmother of Gail Louise Pepping (Wade, Smith, Cox) and Lynne Marie Pepping (Lozano, Conde').
Mary was a driven and industrious woman who had many occupations: Beauty Operator, Real Estate Agent, Chocolatier, Investment Adviser, Tour Director, and was a Travel Agent into her early 90's and throughout her life was an all-around shrewd business woman and a true entrepreneur. A life-long overachiever, she earned her AA Degree along with her Granddaugther Lynne in Florida in her 60's. She had a fantastic sense of humor and could tell a joke better than anyone. A Life Master Bridge Player, she always "played to win" both in work and in fun.
She loved to travel with her family and friends all over the world. She loved a great party. Was a fantastic knitter and crocheter, she frequently made sweaters, scarfs, and blankets for her family. A Patriotic American who campaigned passionately for the Republican Party, she was President of the Republican Women's Club's in New Hampshire, Florida, and California.
She married Carlo Robert Rumazza, a war hero from Rochester, New Hampshire, on September 3rd, 1965 in Santa Ana, California. She was very active with the USO and was extremely proud of our military men and women.
She entered into heaven November 2, 2011 at 4:04pm unexpectedly, just 27 days before her 99th Birthday. Her Granddaughter, Gail, was with her for their daily time together. Mary and her Granddaughter were preparing to have a facial and pedicure when Mary, who was alert, started to look around the room and up in the air and suddenly was called to heaven. She missed her facial on earth that day, yet she died a remarkable beauty.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Strausz, Jr., her brother, Fenton Egbert Strausz (1900-1910), an older baby sister (1911-1911), her husbands Louis Paul Crespi (1976), William Alexander Maggard, Benjamin H. Sherman, Carlo Robert Rumazza (September 20, 1906-December 23, 1978), her only child, Shirley Louise Gustin (July 1, 1932 - May 25, 2002), Great-Grandson Ahaziah Eldon Cox (October 29, 1996), Great-Grandson Anton Edward Cox, Jr. (January 10, 1989 - May 7, 2011).
Mary is survived by Granddaughter Gail Louise Cox and Husband Anton Edward Cox, Sr. of Ontario, CA, Lynne Marie Conde' and Husband Walter William Conde' of Rohnert Park, CA, Great-Grandchildren, Celeste Dianne Wade of Los Angeles, CA, Carly Jayne Smith Kamikihara of Costa Mesa, CA, William Kenneth Conde' of Rohnert Park, CA, Leah Marie Conde' of Rohnert Park, CA, Alexander Epifanio Cox, US Air Force, North Dakota, Aaron Elijah Cox, US Air Force, Washington and Great-Great Grandchildren Kai Shoji Kamikihara and Emi Jayne Kamikihara.
Mary Helen Strausz Rumazza, our Grandmother is deeply loved and sorely missed.
Funeral Arrangements: All are welcome.
Mary Helen Strausz Rumazza's Memorial Service, (Reception to follow at same location)
Saturday, November 12, 2011
10:00am
BOBBITT MEMORIAL CHAPEL
1299 East Highland Avenue
San Bernardino, CA 92404
(909) 882-3761
For additional information, contact Tony Cox (909) 239-1222
UPDATE: A brief committal service will be conducted at
Riverside National Cemetery following the Saturday, November 12th Reception
Riverside National Cemetery
22495 Van Buren Boulevard
Riverside, CA 92518
Phone: (951) 653-8417
http://www.cem.va.gov/cems/nchp/riverside.asp
For those who wish to make a donation in honor of Mary Helen Strausz Rumazza, you are welcome to do so at any of the following
charities:
- Juvenile Diabetes Association (Mary's Great-Granddaughter, Carly, has Juvenile Diabetes, "In Honor of Mary Helen Rumazza")
http://www.jdrf.org/index.cfm?page_id=100903&sitereferer=100686
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International
26 Broadway, 14th Floor
New York, NY 10004
(800) 533-2873
[email protected]
- Children's Organ Transplant Association for "Joseph C" / "Joseph Carlson"
COTA FOR JOSEPH CARLSON (Liver Transplant)
http://cota.donorpages.com/PatientOnlineDonation/COTAforJosephC/
Children's Organ Transplant Association (Donation for 7 year old, Joseph Carlson's Liver/ Kidney Transplant, "In Honor of Mary Helen Rumazza")
2501 West COTA Drive
Bloomington, Indiana 47403
(800) 366.2682
[email protected]
- California Republican Party (As you know, Mary is a patriotic Republican, "In Honor of Mary Helen Rumazza")
1903 W. Magnolia Blvd.,
Burbank, CA 91506
(818) 841-5210
http://www.cagop.org/
What’s your fondest memory of Mary?
What’s a lesson you learned from Mary?
Share a story where Mary's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Mary you’ll never forget.
How did Mary make you smile?