Mary Grim Ripley

Mary Grim Ripley, 80, of Morgantown, WV, passed over on January 3, 2015 at her home surrounded by her family. Mary was born in Tunnelton, WV, October 12, 1934. She had long suffered from IPF (Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis) and was one of the longest surviving patients in a drug study for an experimental drug to help patients of IPF at UPMC in Pittsburgh. At her insistence, her lungs were harvested at UPMC to further the study and to gain insight into what causes IPF. Mary was raised by her Aunt Cosie and Uncle Ted Danser in Westover, WV. She married Richard L. Ripley Sr. on December 7, 1953 in El Paso, Texas. They moved to Florida, California and then back home to West Virginia. Mary loved the outdoors and actively farmed with her husband and four children. Her life included canning, milking, gathering eggs, raising cattle, pigs, chicken and sheep. Her large garden was a source of pride for her. Her green thumb was extraordinary as evidenced by her large sunroom filled to capacity with flowers. She spent time sewing clothes and making quilts. She was very crafty. Her home was a gathering place for the community's kids. She never knew how many kids were going to be at dinner. She spent a lot of time running her kids to music lessons, band practice, ball practice and games. She was affectionately nicknamed The Road Runner'. She hosted a neighborhood Cub Scout troop as well. Mary had a lifelong love affair with Hershey's chocolate. She'd taught her grandchildren to unwrap the kisses and line them up on her lap. One of the other life skills she taught her grandchildren was how to roast marshmallow peeps. She taught them the names of wildflowers and how to identify edible plants in the wild. Mary had been active with the Ladies Oriental Shrine and the Daffy Dolls. Mary was the daughter of Mae Bolyard Grim and Ross Grim. She was preceded in death by her parents, Cosie and Ted Danser, her husband Richard L. Ripley, Sr., her granddaughter Christi LaVaughn Duffer, grandson Steve Duffer III and her brother Thomas Grim. Mary is survived by Dot Duffer and partner Gennie Divine, Richard L. Ripley, Jr. , Timothy Duane Ripley, Katherine Lynn Simpson, nine grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Florence Sis' Sullivan and brother Charles Grim. Friends may call at the Fred L. Jenkins Funeral Home on Friday, Jan. 9, 2014 from 2-4 and 6-8pm and again on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2014 from 10am until time of services at 11am with Rev. Kevin Cain officiating. Burial will follow at the Ripley Family Cemetery on Rt. 73/Smithtown Road. A Celebration of Mary's life will be held afterward at Dot Duffer and Gennie Divine's home at 1405 Sabraton Ave., Morgantown, WV.

Friday, January 09, 2015

Fred L. Jenkins Funeral Home 10 S. High St. morgantown, wv 26501

Friday, January 09, 2015

Fred L. Jenkins Funeral Home 10 S. High St. morgantown, wv 26501

Saturday, January 10, 2015

Fred L. Jenkins Funeral Home 10 S. High St. morgantown, wv 26501

Saturday, January 10, 2015

Fred L. Jenkins Funeral Home 10 S. High St. morgantown, wv 26501