Maureen Compton Zucks

Maureen Veronica Compton was born in Manhattan, New York on June 27, 1949, to Eric Nicholas Compton and Maire Cathleen (O’Flannery) Compton and passed away peacefully with her children by her side on October 3, 2024.

Maureen’s family relocated from Manhattan to Hartsdale, New York, in 1952. There, she grew up as the oldest of four children, her siblings Buddy, Meg and Annie. Always the comedian, Maureen loved playing practical jokes on her family. From the time her brother could walk, she would encourage him to “run!” sending her parents into a panic. She loved visiting her Aunt Bunnie and Uncle Eddie Lehman in Manhattan, where she would have a ball, pushing all the elevator buttons and maybe dropping a pail of water from the balcony on pedestrians below. In 1967, Maureen graduated from The Ursuline School where she met her life-long friend, Helen. After high school, Maureen studied at Pace University Pleasantville.

In the late 1960's, Maureen met John Zucks and the two enjoyed seeing friends and listening to music where John worked at the Fore ‘n’ Aft club. Maureen and John married in 1973 at Sacred Heart Church in Hartsdale, NY, where they settled to start a family. In 1977, Maureen and John welcomed their son, Michael John; and in 1981, their daughter, Kristen Elizabeth. As a young family, they enjoyed family trips to Montauk, Cape Cod, and Jersey beaches, playing cards, eating great Italian food at Francesco’s restaurant in White Plains, and more. Maureen was given the nickname “Fluffy” around this time, given her signature voluminous hair.

In 1989, Maureen and family relocated to Longwood, FL, joining Maureen’s sister, Meg, and her family in the Woodlands neighborhood. Maureen continued working in real estate upon relocating to Florida, where she was a mortgage loan originator for almost 30 years. Maureen loved her job, working and building friendships in her office and prided herself on being able to help others get financing for their homes, often as first-time borrowers and homeowners. Her success allowed Maureen and John to fully realize their passion for cruising – both on cruise ships and in John’s Corvette. Over the years, they went on more than 30 cruises together, exploring the Caribbean and their favorite islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands. They loved the whole experience of getting dressed up for dinner, often with John in a tuxedo, dancing, going to the casino, traveling on the water; and of course, returning home to their yorkie pup Ferris (and later Scrappy). Together, Maureen and John hosted most holidays for their extended family, cooking traditional Thanksgiving and Italian feasts, for all to enjoy.

Throughout the years, Maureen continued to play jokes on family members and would send things in the mail - from unexpected, hilarious items to greeting cards for every occasion to her signature Swiss Colony petit-four cakes during the holidays. In 2016, Maureen welcomed her first grandchild, Kellan Frederick, and delighted in spoiling him with stuffed animals, Mr. Men books, Legos, puzzles and trips to Target. In 2021, Maureen welcomed her second grandchild, Juliette Elise, who she helped name. Her grandchildren lovingly called her “Coco” inspired by the only perfume she wore – Coco Chanel Mademoiselle. Maureen never lost her childlike humor and spirit. She reveled in collecting and sharing items from her and her kids’ childhoods – the TV series Alf, dollhouses, Care Bears, Barbies, movies and musicals. Everyone who knew Maureen knew she loved her children and grandchildren with her whole heart.

Maureen was a loving friend to many and was always there to catch up over happy hour drinks, a football game or her favorite -- steak and lobster dinners at Fig's Prime. She was a Catholic her whole life, attending Church of the Annunciation in Longwood, FL, for 35 years. She would often visit the grotto there to pray for her family, friends and even people she never met who she wanted to help or heal. Her sense of humor and love will forever remain in our hearts.

Maureen is survived by her loving children Michael Zucks and Kristen (Didier) Zucks, son-in-law Damon Didier, grandson Kellan Didier, granddaughter Juliette Didier, siblings Eric Compton, Meg (Compton) Brocchi and Annie (Compton) O’Leary, nieces and nephews: Suzanne (Hick) Caliguire, Jennifer (Compton) Breuer, Brian Compton, Caitlin (Compton) Almo, Matthew Compton, Erica (Brocchi) Akiyama, Jeanmarie O’Leary, Aileen O’Leary, Meaghan (O’Leary) Bernard, Michael J. O’Leary; aunt Bunnie (O’Flannery) Lehman and uncle Edward Lehman. Maureen was preceded in death by her dear husband of 39 years, John Zucks, her parents Eric N. Compton and Maire Compton, cousin Robert Lehman and nephew Carl Brocchi.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Tunnels to Towers Foundation, a non-profit organization honoring America's first responders, veterans and their families, a cause near and dear to her heart. DoGood.org