Patricia Marie Tupper, 83, of Brandon, Florida, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on March 10, 2025. The eldest of six, she was born in Martin’s Ferry, Ohio on June 5, 1941, to Mary and Gudino “Reno” Scagnetti. She came into the world as a coal miner's daughter. For two years, she was cared for by her grandmother, Rosalie “Bubba” Gensor, while her mother recovered from tuberculosis.
The Scagnetti family moved to Michigan, where Reno worked for Plymouth and Mary raised their children in a strong, Catholic family. Pat was a member of the St. Alphonsus High School class of 1959 and was an excellent student graduating with honors. She continued her education at Providence Hospital Nursing School and met David (the love of her life and husband of fifty-eight years) at a nursing school dance. Pat graduated with an associate degree in nursing in 1962 and celebrated “the happiest day of her life” (as later recalled to her granddaughter, Leia) when she married David on November 23, 1963.
Pat and Dave began their life together in Waukesha, WI. Pat’s true vocation as a mom blossomed as she welcomed her first 3 children to the family, John (1965), Jennifer (1966), and Rebecca (1968). These busy years were filled with lots of diapers, feedings, sleepless nights, and snow and ice for the happy, young couple. From Waukesha, the family moved to Gadsden, AL, welcoming Margaret (1970) and David (1973). In addition to baby duties, Pat took on preparing her children for preschool and grade school, planning family summer road trips, and coordinating holiday vacations to Detroit, MI. Her journey then took her to Montreal, Canada where she welcomed her sixth child, Benjamin (1975). These years were memorable with a new French-Canadian culture, summer family time at Camp Kinkora, church choir, the 1976 Summer Olympics, Chinese food, and gathering to watch the Waltons and Saturday hockey night with Peter Puck and the Montreal Canadiens. The next stop on Pat’s adventure was Memphis, TN. While there were no new additions in Memphis, the hectic pace only picked up with all the children in Catholic school, where faith, sacramental preparation and service, and academics were emphasized. These years were marked with hospital nursing night shifts, countless sporting events, Friday game nights, Saturday family jobs, graduations, and the first two children off to college. In addition to working as a hospital night shift nurse, she selflessly assumed the care of her mother-in-law in the family home for a year after Eleanor Tupper suffered a stroke. Witnessing these compassionate acts of love and service clearly had an impact on her children, with four of the six pursuing a career in healthcare.
The family’s final move to Brandon, FL in 1984, welcomed them with year-round sunshine. Pat continued fostering her children's faith, community service, academics, and participation in sports. Here she left bedside nursing and began working as a phlebotomist for Southwest Florida Blood Bank. With all her children graduating and off to college, Pat was able to become more involved at Nativity Church and care for her parents during their yearly snow bird visits to the Tupper home. As the children became adults, the family expanded, eventually welcoming 6 sons- and daughters-in-laws, 21 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren. Somehow Pat found a way to be physically present and share love with each of her grandchildren in their early years. The Compound transitioned from a gathering place for the children to the hub of activity for all the grandchildren. Mom loved hosting all the families at the Compound and her heart was full when the house was overflowing with family.
Pat was a godly woman with quiet strength. She was the foundation and glue that held her family together. Her faith and love of God was reflected in what she said but more significantly in how she lived. She was a shining example to all through the unconditional love she provided.
While healthy for most of her life, Pat fought Parkinson’s disease for the last 10 years. With quiet grace and dignity, she battled this disease with the help of her Rock Steady friends and her Nativity Christian community. She never, ever gave up, and never quit fighting. Even as the disease slowly took its toll on her body, her faith and inner strength were an example to all. Granddaughter Lauren and her fiance Tyler moved in with Pat after Dave, her soulmate, passed in 2021. All Pat’s family worked to honor her desire to remain in her home of 40+ years to the end. The family would like to thank all the caregivers who helped with Pat’s care. Healing miracles occurred during this time.
Pat is survived by her six children John Tupper (Leigh Anne), Jennifer Martinez (Hector), Rebecca Miller (Jeff), Margaret Kittrell (Scott), David Tupper (Lourdes), Benjamin Tupper (Erin); 21 grandchildren Erika, Jordan (Tate), Emily, Sam (Brandon), Tito, Jamie, Michael, Lauren, Robby (Alyssa), Hannah, Grace, David Paul, Dylan, Dove, Landon, Leia, Lincoln, Luke, Anna, Lily and Lucy; 3 great grandchildren Hayden, Hudson, and Charlotte; and five siblings Christopher Scagnetti (Patti), Christine Girardot, Joseph Scagnetti (Danette), Angie Ervin, Antoinette Robins.
She was preceded in death by her parents Mary and Guidino Scagnetti and her husband, David.
A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, April 5th at 10am in the Chapel at Nativity Catholic Church in Brandon, FL, with a reception to follow at the church.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making memorial contributions to Rock Steady Boxing Fishhawk, Pat’s Parkinson’s family for seven years. This organization provides exercise, education, socialization, and support to individuals with Parkinson’s in the local community. Donations can be sent to 3636 Erindale Dr, Valrico, FL 33596. Kindly include 'In Honor of Pat Tupper' in the memo field.
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Funeral Mass
5
Apr
705 East Brandon Blvd.
Brandon, FL 33511
