Katharine Tupper Fugiel

Katharine Tupper Fugiel died on June 8, 2011, in North Charleston, SC.  Katharine was born on January 1, 1918 in Burlington, VT, where her parents, Frederick Tupper and Annadora Baer Tupper, were professors at the University of Vermont.  On December 26, 1942, she married the love of her life, Lee Robert Fugiel in New York, NY.  They were married 67 years until Mr. Fugiel's death on February 17, 2010.

Mrs. Fugiel is survived by three daughters: Lucy Emery (Kent) of South Bend, IN, Emily Guess (Joseph) of Denmark, SC, and Kartharine Reynolds (Darrel) of North Charleston, SC; eight grandchildren: Dr. Lanier Summerall (Thomas) of Norwich, VT, Ursula Emery McClure (Michael) of Lafayette, LA, Cecilia Loftus (Brian) of Philadelphia, PA, Giles Ken Emery (Alison) of Indianapolis, IN, Dorthea Duenow (Zachary) of Highland Park, IL, Cyril Robert Emery (Chelsea Wald) of Vienne, Austria, Alice Guess (Gordon Nicholson) and Gardner Guess of Charleston, SC and one step-grandchild: Ryan Reynolds; six great-grandchildren: Rory Patrick and Tristan Michael Loftus, Ada Annadora McClure, Bazil Luke and Emery McIntosh Duenow and Cayleigh Nicholson.  Besides her husband, Lee, She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Frederick and sister Mary Kay, her son Frederick and a grandson, Gerard Emery.

Mrs. Fugiel graduated from St. Catherine's School in Richmond, VA and attended the University of Vermont.  She was a stunningly beautiful young woman.  She and her husband were at first pen pals in a literary magazine, and he fell madly in love with her as soon as he saw her.  After World War II, Mr. and Mrs. Fugiel settled in Charleston to be near Katharine's many relatives, the Tuppers, Baers, Phins, Hydes and the close family friend, Miss Elmina Eason.

Mrs. Fugiel loved animals, writing poetry, drawing and sending letters to Lord Ashley Cooper.  She had a witty sense of humor and loved movies.  She had a wonderful shoe and jewelry collection and a romantic nature.  She was a rare cook.  She enjoyed her grandchildren, who called her "Grandmere".  The grandchildren loved to spend summers at their grandparents' home on Wadmalaw Island and "Grandmere" kept them laughing and in good humor.  She could have a conversation with anyone and was a truly loving soul.  Mr. and Mrs. Fugiel lived on Wadmalaw for over 48 years before they went to live with their daughter and son-in-law, Katharine and Darrel Reynolds in North Charleston.  On beautiful Wadmalaw, Mrs. Fugiel enjoyed canoeing and swimming.  She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother.

The family would like especially to thank Kathy Enterline and Jane Groves for their devotion and care of our mother and Lutheran Hospice for their care of her in the final days of her life.  There will be a visitation on Sunday, June 19, 2011 from 5-7pm at J. Henry Stuhr, Inc., Downtown Chapel.  The funeral will be held at the graveside in Magnolia Cemetery at 2pm, Monday, June 20, 2011.

Memorials may be made to MAMAS Animal Shelter, PO Box 1151, Bamberg, SC 29003 or to Lutheran Hospice, 1885 Rifle Range Road, #46, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464.