Jo Cuppy

Jo Lanel Cuppy, age 50, died at her home in Bronson early Saturday morning, January 10, 2015, after a long battle with cancer. She was born September 12, 1964, in Fort Scott, the daughter of Nelda K. Rudisill Cuppy and A. Gary Cuppy. She is survived by her husband Walter Palmisano, son Seth Cuppy, step-daughter Gina Palmisano, grandson Marcus, mother Nelda Cuppy, step-father Larry Manes, brother Larry Cuppy, niece Cassandra Cuppy, nephew Devon Cuppy, aunts and uncles, and many, many friends. She graduated from Marmaton Valley High School and earned degrees from Allen County Community College, the University of Kansas, and Emporia State University. She and Walter lived in New Orleans for nearly twenty years where she made jewelry and hats, selling them in the French Market where she made life long friends. They moved to Bronson for a better education for Seth in 2003. Jo taught at Marmaton Valley for a year and at Allen County Community College for eleven, including classes in English as a Second Language and prep classes for the GED test in addition to mathematics and computer classes. She loved to knit, read, make stained glass pieces, sew, travel, walk or run with Seth (often walking from Bronson to Moran). She loved her flowers and garden and sharing the produce with others. She loved music and especially enjoyed hearing Seth play the guitar. She had a poem published and wrote a craft book on beadwork. Jo loved animals - especially her cats, which all have interesting names. Jo served on the Bronson Library Board and helped with the Bronson Day celebrations. Friends and co-workers were an extremely important part of her life; she loved her students and co-workers. Friends became adopted family. Exchange student Triet Minh La was a special "son." She was particularly proud of her accomplishment in running the Charlie Melvin 5 K four years and running a half-marathon last April. She was happy with her life and always had a smile. She was preceded in death by her father Gary "Butch" Cuppy and her aunt Ardis Rudisill. A celebration of life will be held at the Riverside Park Community Building, 510 Park Avenue, Iola, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, January 15. We miss her smile, her energy, her thoughtfulness of others, and most of all her joy. Memorial gifts to Allen County Animal Rescue may be left with Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Memorial Chapel in Iola. To sign the guestbook online or leave a condolence, go to www.iolafuneral.com .