Obituary of Zita Marie Briscoe

Zita Marie Briscoe was born Zita Marie Zirkelbach on December 22, 1914 in Tranquility, California. Her father was a farmer and emigrant from Germany. Her mother was a homemaker, whose parents had emigrated from Germany. She attended and graduated from Fresno State University with honors and later attended the University of Southern California to earn her Masters Degree in Music. She began her teaching career in Layton, California. She relocated to Orange County where she taught for 31 years in El Modena, Buena Park and La Habra School Districts. Zita retired from teaching in 1972. She and her husband Bill moved to a ranch in Oroville, California where they enjoyed their retirement years. Zita and Bill Briscoe were members of the sheriff's posse and enjoyed riding horses in rodeos and parades. They had a large garden, horses, chickens, ducks and a few cows. They both had returned to their roots coming from farming families. In Oroville, she was a member of Monday Club, President of the Catholic Ladies Relief Society, AAUW, BPW and Republican Women's Club. Zita played the organ and sang in the church choir both in Buena Park and Oroville. She has always loved music. Zita traveled extensively in the U.S. and Europe. She loved going to beautiful Kauai, Hawaii with her family. Zita is mother to daughter Betty Leverich, 4 granddaughters Kim Murphy, Sandy Ratliff, Sharie Benson and Suzanne Smith, 11 great-grandchildren and 2 great- great granddaughters. Zita is also survived by her sister, many nieces, nephews and extended family. She had a very full, active and happy 101 years. Zita will be missed by all that have known and loved her. Zita passed away in Placentia, California on June 15, 2016. Farewell Funeral Services will begin with a Visitation at Oroville Funeral Home, 1454 Montgomery St. Oroville California on Wednesday, June 22, 2016 beginning at 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm followed by a Rosary at 7:00 pm. Saint Thomas Catholic Church in Oroville California will be the location of her Funeral Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday, June 23, 2016 at 11:00 am. Zita will be laid to rest next to her husband William Briscoe at Memorial Park Cemetery in Oroville California. Arrangements are entrusted to Oroville Funeral Home (530) 533-0323.