Jean "Jeanne" (Jerz) Cuppett

CUPPETT-- Jean, “Jeanne” (Jerz), Richland, age 71, was rocked to sleep in the lap of her Savior, Jesus Christ on February 16, 2022 after a battle with cancer. Born June 21, 1950, the only daughter of Walter and Jean (Hamonko) Jerz. Preceded in death by parents, infant brother, Andrew, mother and father-in-law Connie and Victor Cuppett, sister and brother-in-law Karen and Terry Buterbaugh, cousins Ann Simmons and Kush Haggerty, close friends Annette Krieger, Elaine Brzana, Bonnie Bunn and so many others who valued her so highly. Survived by husband Cary, daughter Randi Malzi, son Chris, brothers Wally and Vince, nephew Matthew, and numerous cousins.  Jeanne was so blessed by the support of her wonderful husband, Cary, and son Chris through this horrible illness. Jeanne was a 1968 graduate of Johnstown Central High School and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree from the University of Pittsburgh while working as a Medical-Surgical Nurse Technician at Montefiore Hospital and a Nurse Aide at Presbyterian Hospital, both in Pittsburgh, PA.  She achieved her RN license in 1972.  In 1985, while working full time, Jeanne attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania full time and earned her Master of Science in Nursing Degree.  She completed courses toward a Master’s Degree in Business Administration at Saint Francis College and in 2010 obtained her national certification as a Pharmacy Technician. While doing staff nursing, she assisted Dr. Robert Mrkich as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner.  Six months later, she became a Nursing Instructor with the Greater Johnstown Area Vocational Practical Nursing Program where she taught both classroom and clinical nursing on medical surgical and obstetric floors of Lee and Mercy Hospitals in Johnstown.  Upon leaving this position, she accepted the position of theory and clinical Nursing Instructor in Maternal-Child for three years at Mount Aloysius Junior College Nursing Associate Degree Program until she resigned as part of massive resignation of all nursing faculty in support of her department chairperson, Ann Sell.  She spent the following year as a staff nurse on the Maternity floor of Lee Hospital before accepting a position as a Nursing Instructor of theory and clinical and Course Coordinator at Conemaugh Valley Memorial Hospital School of Nursing.  Concurrently, she was an Adjunct Professor at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown’s RN to BSN Nursing Program and a Nursing Instructor in Maternal-Child Nursing Course at Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s BSN Nursing Program.  While at Conemaugh Memorial Hospital School of Nursing, Jeanne taught in the Trauma Center and was certified as an Emergency Medical Technician, running with East Hills Ambulance Association.  She then accepted the position of Assistant Professor of Nursing and RN to BSN Coordinator at Saint Francis College’s Baccalaureate Nursing Program.  Concurrently, she worked as a Maternal-Child Home Health Nurse with Care Unlimited of Pittsburgh. She chaired many college committees throughout her career and participated in community events. In 2014, after almost 43 years of teaching, Jean retired as a Tenured Professor of Health Care Management from Pennsylvania Highlands Community College.  During her career, she was masterful at creating curriculum and developed many programs in all the institutes of higher education of which she was a part.  Most recently, she created programs in the Health Science curriculum at PHCC.  Her greatest accomplishments were the Pharmacy Technician, Medical Assistant Technology and Conemaugh’s Radiation Technology Programs.  Her knowledge and contribution to the General Education Core development gained Middle States Accreditation for the college.  Her progressive thinking with curriculum development and teaching/learning concepts led her to create and teach the first two online courses for Pennsylvania Highlands Community College in 2001.  These courses were so successful that the college supported other faculty members to create and offer online courses thereafter.  She also created a total online program for medical coders. Jeanne was acknowledged in numerous textbooks as a Reviewer for F. A. Davis, W.B. Saunders, Elsiever Science and Addison-Wesely Publishing Companies.  She was Named International Who's Who of Professionals, Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers, Manchester’s Who’s Who of Executives and Professionals, International Who's Who of Professionals and Who’s Who in Human Service Professionals.  Lifelong member of Member of Sigma Theta Tau, Zeta Lambda Chapter (Nursing National Honor Society), University of Pittsburgh and Indiana University of Pennsylvania Alumni Associations, East Hills Ambulance, Richland Fire Department and the Moxham PNA. She had a kind heart and a giving, nurturing personality with everyone.  She loved animals and especially her dogs and cats.  Her favorite philosophies were, “Timing is everything” and “A sense of humor and a good friend will get you through this life.”  She did so many “wrong” things for the right reasons and often got in trouble for them.  She was always praying for everyone and especially anyone in need.  She loved the Blessed Mother Mary and was thankful for every prayer that was always answered.  Jeanne’s love for reading began early in life and she continued to read every day.  She enjoyed going to the beach every summer, playing cards and games with her family and online. Being very athletic in high school, she played basketball, softball, tennis, ping pong and was a member of the first girls high school track team, along with being an officer in many of the clubs at school and creating art for the yearbook.  She was the designated Sign Language Interpreter and School Photographer for Conemaugh Valley Memorial Hospital and the Washington and Jefferson College Ice Hockey team.  In the 1980’s she did commercial videography and photography. She loved to dance and in the 70’s she trained under John Travolta’s dance instructor from the movie “Saturday Night Fever” and went on to give private disco lessons.  In the 1990’s she learned to Country Line Dance and went every day of the week to dance.  She loved her students and she loved teaching.  At Jeanne’s request, there will be no public viewing; however, the family will receive friends from 1 p.m. until time of service at 2 p.m. Monday, February 21, 2022 at Harris Funeral Home, 500 Cherry Lane, Richland, Rev. Adam Dotts officiating, with music produced, arranged, played and sung by good friend, Walt Churchey.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Richland Fire Department, East Hills Ambulance or a charity of your choice along with your prayers in memory of Jeanne. Online condolences may be posted at www.wharrisfuneralhome.com.