Cora J. Rupp

Cora J. RuppCora J. Rupp died October 4th, 2012 in Alexandria, Virginia. She was 79 years old. She was born in Detroit, Michigan on September 8th, 1933 to Helen and Donald Peterson. She was a big sister to Christine Hastings, whom she loved dearly, and an adoring niece to her aunt, Jessie Hunter. She married Air Force Lieutenant Colonel William Albert Rupp (ret.) on December 1st, 1955. As a military wife, she travelled with her husband throughout Europe and the United States. They settled in the Washington, D.C. area where they raised three children, David and the twins, Christine and Stephen. She had three grandsons, Matthew, William, and Jack and took pride and pleasure in hearing about them and seeing them. She was a professional artist and worked in many mediums throughout her life, most recently doing oil-based monotypes. She was one of the original artists in the Torpedo Factory Art Center when it was established in Alexandria, Virginia in 1974. She had a working studio there for many years. From 1996 to 2011, she was a member of Printmakers, a workshop and gallery at the Torpedo Factory that houses printmakers of many types. She was a successful arts administrator and served as president of The Art League in the seventies becoming its first executive director in 1981. She held that position until her retirement on December 31, 1996. During her tenure she oversaw the growth of The Art League's membership, staff, and school, which currently serves over 7000 students a year. In her later years, she moved to Hilton Head with her husband Bill, continuing her art career as a member of the Hilton Head Art League and the Maye River Gallery in Bluffton, South Carolina. She was a devout member of the First Church of Christ, Scientist in Alexandria for over 35 years before moving to the branch church in Hilton Head. She enjoyed supporting the recruits at the Parris Island Marine Recruit Depot, leading a Sunday church service there each week.  Through her work, faith, teaching, and art, Cora touched many lives. For those who would like to remember her, we invite you to share thoughts, memories, and condolences at admin@theartleague.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to The Art League, a institution she was dedicated to, at 105 N. Union St., Alexandria VA 22314 or online at theartleague.org. A memorial gathering will be held on Sunday, November 4, 2012 from 2:00 to 5:00 pm at The Art League Gallery in the Torpedo Factory Art Center 105 N. Union St., Alexandria, VA 22314.