Obituary: Winifred J. Recupero

Oct. 22, 1932 – Feb. 12, 2024

Winifred Johanna (Zack) Recupero, 91, passed peacefully with family by her side on Feb. 12, 2024 in Sturgeon Bay. Winnie was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut to Charles and Florence (Rader) Zack on Oct. 22, 1932. On June 1, 1953, Winifred Zack married Anthony Recupero and shared 56 years of marriage, raising four children together.

Winifred stayed home to raise her family early in their marriage, volunteering as an elementary school room parent, Girl Scout Leader, and Lauralton Hall Alumni. Winifred earned her associate degree in accounting and worked as an accountant for the Stratford Housing Authority, Dictaphone, and the Town of Trumbull until her retirement.

In addition to carrying for her aging mother, her passions included tending her flower garden, cooking, jewelry and bead crafting, and hunting for good shopping deals. Upon her retirement, Winnie and her husband, Tony, traveled extensively across America for 10 years, living full time in their Airstream RV, frequenting the National Parks and National Forestry Lands. After their travels, they settled in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin until their deaths.

Winifred is survived by her four children, Rebecca (Richard) Martin, Oxford, Connecticut; Gretchen Schmelzer, Sturgeon Bay; Clay (Karen) Recupero, Sturgeon Bay; Theodore (Susan) Recupero, Kanosh, Utah; six grandchildren, Josiah Schmelzer, Joshua (Lisa) Recupero, Noah Schmelzer, Luke (Lucy) Schmelzer, Anthony (Megan) Recupero and Linnea Schmelzer; and six great grandchildren, Harriet Schmelzer, Leonardo, Olivia, Jack, William, and Nathaniel Recupero; also nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Anthony Samuel; parents; sister, Barbara Stefanek; brother, Tony Zack; and son-in-law, Steven Schmelzer.

A private memorial service will be held at the family’s convenience. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Door County Aging and Disability Resource Center or Crossroads at Big Creek Nature Preserve. Forbes Funeral Home is assisting the family. Online condolences may be made at forbesfuneralhome.com.

The family of Winifred wish to extend their sincere thanks to all the staff at Pinecrest Assisted Living Center and Unity Hospice for their exceptional care and compassion that they gave our mother.