Cecille Komp

cecille komp

November 20, 1945 ~ June 14, 2008


Resided in: Redondo Beach, CA

Cissy Komp was born November 20, 1945 in Paris, Texas, where she and her parents, Cecille and Richard Shellenberger, resided until they moved to Brentwood, California. Cissy, as she was known all her life by family and friends, met Charles Zaionz while she attended University High School. She graduated from University High in 1962 and she and Chuck married in December of the same year. Together they had three children: Shelly, Larry, and Cindy. Cissy was a stay-at-home mom, involved in the Young Republicans party, and had a passion for bridge and cribbage. As a young adult Cissy was an accomplished skier and played competitive volleyball. When Cissy and Chuck's marriage ended, Cissy entered a new chapter in her professional life. Cissy had a varied and fulfilling career. Through much of the 1970's she was a computer programmer, and then became the first employee of a small software company, Customized Information Systems, that designed and sold accounting systems. Coincidentally the company's acronym name was CIS. Although she started as a programmer, she soon moved into customer support, and became Customer Service Manager. Over a ten year period she traveled extensively in the U.S. and Canada, assisting customers in the installation and training on the systems. After the company was sold, she used her skills in accounting and computer systems at the west coast office of an international filtration company, Camfil-Farr. Cissy met Tom Komp while playing volleyball at the beach in 1975. They were married in 1981 and made their home in Redondo Beach, where they raised their daughter, Christina. Together Cissy and Tom played doubles tennis both socially and competitively for 13 years. Later Cissy enjoyed playing golf with Tom, family, and friends. She was very talented at needlepoint, and had a voracious love for reading. She was a loyal Dodger fan, and enjoyed watching and listening to Dodger games. She really enjoyed vacationing in Hawaii with her family. She lived her entire adult life at the beach and could not imagine living anywhere else. Married for 27 years, Tom and Cissy were great partners and even greater friends. In 2005 Cissy underwent a successful double lung transplant at UCLA after and extended illness. She faced this challenge with great courage and a positive outlook. After her recovery period, she was fortunate to have two and a half active and fulfilling years before she contracted a viral encephalopathy in January 2008. Consistent with her entire life, Cissy battled this exhibiting amazing courage, strength, and grace. Cissy was a loving and supportive wife, a loving and caring mother, a giving and fun grandmother, and a wonderful friend. Her spirit and memory will live forever in her family's hearts. Cissy is survived by her Husband of 27 years, Thomas Komp of Redondo Beach, CA; Daughter, Shelly Zaionz of San Antonio, TX and Grandson, Garrett; Son, Larry Zaionz of San Francisco, CA; Daughter and Son-in-law, Cindy and JR Speer of Tustin, CA and Grandson, Connor Lender; and Daughter, Christina Komp of San Francisco, CA;and Mother-in-law, Gerarda Komp. The Memorial Service will be held at Rice Mortuary on Wednesday June 18, 2008 at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to UCLA Lung Transplant Program c/o Stephanie Lackey, RN; UCLA Medical Center, 924 Westwood Blvd., Suite 825; Los Angeles, CA 90024.

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Guestbook

  1. Shelly & family we are thinking of you and will keep you in our prayers. Our condolences go out to you and your family. HEB Enterprise Services/Blossom

  2. Dear Tom and family: We are thinking of you with much love and sympathy and you are in our prayers.

  3. Just cannot believe reading this. We were great friends with Cissy and Dick many years ago and so sorry to hear about death of daughter – – we live near Yosemite National Park and we have such great memories of the many times we shared with the Shellenbergers. Kathleen and Barney

  4. I was looking for Cissy for our upcoming 50th Marlborough reunion. I have such fond memories of her at Bel Air Town and Country School and Marlborough. We were best friends in our younger days. I spent lots of time at her parent’s home in Brentwood and her grandmother’s house on Roxbury. It sounds like she had a wonderful and caring family with all of you. That is what it is all about. I’m very sorry for your loss and I’m sad that Cissy and I lost touch with each other. Susan Armstrong


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