Liselotte P. Lopez's Obituary
Liselotte P. Lopez “Lotte” (Nee Strubreiter) age 96, passed away July 30, 2023. Beloved wife of 61 years to the late Reginaldo Lopez. Cherished mother of Carmen (Bob) Thibault, Sylvia (Michael) Incorvaia, and the late Reggie Lopez Jr. Sister of the late Fini Fiscus. Loving grandmother of Christie Thibault, Brian (Tina) Thibault, Mike Jr. (Cara) Incorvaia, Gina Incorvaia (Alex); great-grandmother of Luciana, Natalia, Carmen Incorvaia and Landon (Incorvaia) Watson; Logan, and Lucas Thibault. She is preceded in death by her mother-in-law Carmen Lopez. Lotte was born in Munich Germany to the late Ludwig and Maria Strubreiter.
In her teens her life was defined by World War II (1939-1945). She said she once walked to the nearby Plaza and behold Hitler was holding a rally. Shortages of food and goods were epic. At times her family would be huddled down in the basement sharing what little rations were available. The balcony of her parent’s house was bombed but they remained safe. After the war, she met an American Air Force Master Sergeant named Reginaldo Lopez and eventually married and came to the US with a daughter named Carmen. The couple was based in several parts of the world, and eventually they had a son- Reggie Jr and the youngest daughter Sylvia. Lotte came to the US as a young wife and mother who had a rudimentary understanding of English. Over time, she learned everything she could from others, and taught herself by reading everything she could. She became a citizen of the USA, and eventually became an employee of the US Defense Department at Patrick Air Force Base in Florida. All that time, she was a loving wife and mother. She was a very tough person, very determined, and this kind of success does not happen without great effort and innate intellect. By the time she was in her early 40’s she understood more about America and its history than many who were born here. As a family we all understood and admired those traits and accomplishments.
Her resume includes her commitment to others and organizations throughout her life. Over the years her accomplishments were significant to the organizations she represented. Some mile markers were Kiwanis International Board of Directors and President of the Melbourne Chapter on 2 occasions. - Federal Employed Women of the year for Central Florida- Citizen of the year by the National Association of Social Workers (Space Coast Unit). - Commanders Salute, Eastern Space and Missile Center, AFB for outstanding contribution to the mission. Her most passionate contribution was to the Florida Alliance for the Mentally Ill serving at every board level and President. She was one of the first lay people in Florida to become Guardian Advocate for Back Act committed mentally ill patients. She represented those patients who did not have any family or guardian and was sometimes called to court as their guardian.
When she became a grandmother and great-grandmother, they became her first passion. She had a great role model in her mother-in-law Carmen Lopez who lived with the family for 57 years! Between the two of them they kept the Lopez family running in tip top shape. One final note about Lotte- I don’t recall her ever carrying a grudge against anyone and she always had a smile on her face. Once someone asked her why she wasn’t bitter about life during the war. She said that is behind me and I’m going forward. Visitation will be held at Jardine Funeral Home 15822 Pearl Road, Strongsville, OH 44136, Friday August 4, 2023, from 5-8PM. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice.
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