Zita Angela Varnelis passed away peacefully in her home on December 29, 2018, surrounded by her family. Zita will be remembered most for her vibrant, creative personality, her artistic talent as a graphic designer, her fabulous cooking, adventurous spirit and for her passion for life – living life to its fullest to the very end– even in the face of adversity. Most importantly, Zita will be remembered for her unwavering commitment to her friendships and devotion to her family.
Zita was born in Benton Harbor, Michigan on October 15, 1965. She grew up in St. Joseph, Michigan attending St. Joseph High School graduating in 1983. Following high school, Zita attended Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan for her Bachelor of Arts degree. After college, Zita took a 5 week trip to Europe with her boyfriend Maris, and fell in love. Maris Kampe and Zita were married in November 23, 1991 in Cleveland Ohio. They have been married for 27 years residing in Sagamore Hills, OH for the past 21 years with their two beautiful daughters Katarina (17) and Daina (12).
Zita is survived by her husband, two children, her parents Edmund and Grazina Varnelis, her sister Audra Murdoch, brother-in-law Shawn Murdoch, and their three children, Jade, Luke and Chase, her sister Lora Varnelis and her two Children Adija and Caleb, her aunt Irene Pran, her in-laws Grazina and Kalvis Kampe, her brother-in-law Peter Kampe and his wife Andrea, along with their 6 children Alexandra, Mara, Matthew, Luke, Andrew, and Andra, nephew Jimmy Frankina , God-daughter Kaja Kijauskas and preceded by the death of her sister-in-law Kristina Kampe.
Zita loved the beach, traveling both domestically and internationally, and was an avid rower – with her most recent race at the Head of the Charles in Boston, October 2018 – with the motto “We can Fly”. She was also a rowing coach for several years for Western Reserve Rowing Association. Zita also loved to ski and was an instructor for 16 years. Additionally, she will be remembered for giving her time and talents generously over the years to various charitable foundations and organizations.
Zita was a warrior against metastatic breast cancer – surviving with stage 4 cancer for over three years. Therefore, we would like any donations to go to the Metavivor Foundation at metavivor.org/take-action/memorials where a memorial page has been established in Zita’s name.
Services to celebrate Zita’s life will be held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Euclid, Ohio on January 4, 2018 at 10:00 am, followed by a reception at the Lithuanian Club on 185th Street, Euclid, OH.