Augusta Zita Shifflett

Augusta Zita Shifflett, 91, passed away peacefully on July 16, 2026, in Hialeah, Florida.

Born on April 26, 1935, in Bainbridge, New York, Augusta was the daughter of the late Joseph D. Mertz and Ellen M. (Jerome) Mertz. She was raised in Sidney, New York, where she graduated from Sidney High School before eventually making her way to South Florida.

While working as a secretary at Peninsula Armature Works in Miami, Augusta met the love of her life, Hubert Morrow "Bud" Shifflett. The family fondly recalls her favorite story of their courtship: each day around lunchtime, a woman would call asking to speak with Hubert. Convinced he was already married, Augusta insisted she would never date him. As it turned out, the caller was not a wife at all, and once the misunderstanding was cleared up, romance blossomed. They were married on August 11, 1956, in Miami and shared nearly 61 wonderful years of marriage before Hubert's passing in 2017.

Together they made their home in Carol City, Florida, where they raised their family. Every summer they looked forward to traveling to Sidney, New York, where they spent treasured time with family and created countless lifelong memories. In 1998, Augusta, Bud, and Joe relocated to Vero Beach, where they embraced the next chapter of their lives and became active members of the community.

A devoted Catholic, Augusta was a longtime member of St. John of the Cross Catholic Church in Vero Beach. Her faith was the foundation of her life and was reflected in her kindness, humility, and unwavering love for her family. She found beauty in caring for her orchids and, in earlier years, enjoyed crocheting and knitting for those she loved.

Of all the roles she held in life, none meant more to Augusta than being a wife and mother. After her son Joe suffered a life-changing accident at the age of 22 that left him unable to care for himself, Augusta devoted herself to his daily care with extraordinary love, patience, and faith. She faithfully remained by his side for decades, only stepping away when her own health made it impossible to continue. In her final months, she relocated to Hialeah Shores Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, where she was embraced with exceptional kindness and compassion. There, she formed many meaningful friendships and was loved by residents and staff alike, who treated her as though she were part of their own family.

Augusta is survived by her children, John Shifflett and his wife, Lucy, of Hialeah, Florida; Joe Shifflett of Vero Beach, Florida; and Donna Marie Arnau and her husband, Mike, of Lady Lake, Florida; her sister, Ellen Hogan.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Hubert Morrow "Bud" Shifflett; her parents, Joseph D. Mertz and Ellen M. (Jerome) Mertz; her brothers, Joseph Mertz, Jerome Mertz, Frederick Mertz, George Mertz and Alfred Mertz; and her sisters, Loretta Frank, Veronica Shuppert, Teresa Horton, and Rita Mertz.

Family and friends are invited to gather for visitation on Tuesday from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Cox-Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home. A wake service will be held during the visitation, with the time to be announced.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. at St. John of the Cross Catholic Church.

Interment will follow at South Florida National Cemetery,at 1:30 p.m., where Augusta will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband

The family finds comfort in knowing that Augusta has been reunited with Bud and is now at peace in the loving presence of the Lord she faithfully served throughout her life.