Marilyn Alice (Ritch) Pipher

Marilyn Alice Ritch Pipher, born January 22, 1931, age 90 of Townsend, DE formerly of Wilmington, DE and Scranton, PA passed peacefully on October 30, 2021.

Marilyn was employed as an executive secretary for the International Correspondence School immediately out of high school. She continued working in this field for various companies throughout her career. After retiring as a secretary, Marilyn was employed as a craft instructor for the MOT (Middletown Odessa Townsend) Senior Center. She retired at the age of 89 when COVID closed the center last year.

Marilyn was not only a talented craftsperson but was a fine seamstress as well.  She made gowns for brides and attendants as well as clothes for her family and friends. She was also an avid gardener in her earlier years, planting three seeds in each hole: one for God, one for the birds, and one for her. Any produce that was not consumed in one of her amazing meals was canned. Stewed tomatoes, chili sauce, vegetable soup, bread and butter pickles, tomato sauce, green beans (to name but a few) were all enjoyed at winter meals.

In her youth she enjoyed swimming, church events and dancing, and in her later years, was an enthusiastic reader.

Marilyn had a strong sense of family and was a mother to all who knew and loved her.  She was a wonderful storyteller oftentimes incorporating her wisdom and sensibilities as a moral to the tale. She was one of those souls who was the glue that held a family together. Everyone was welcome into her home and there was always an extra seat at her table. She enjoyed being surrounded by family and friends.

Marilyn is predeceased by her mother, Alice Fuller Ritch, mother and father-in-law, Paul and Blanche Pipher, sister and brother-in-law, Jayne and Thomas Noble, brother-in-law, Alvin Brant and her son, Paul R. Pipher, II.

Marilyn is survived by her husband of 69 years, Paul R. Pipher, sister Barbara Brant of Gloucester, VA,  daughter Barbara Pipher of West Yellowstone, MT, son David Pipher and Diane Newton of Greenwood, DE, her son’s widow Cheryl Pipher of Wilmington, DE; grandsons Paul Diego of Franklinton, NC, Brian Pipher of Felton, DE, Paul R. Pipher, III and his wife Samantha of Wilmington, DE; granddaughters Jennifer Pipher of Townsend, DE, Lori Hurd and her husband Mark of Dover, DE, Kristin Pipher of Milton, DE, Sonya Pipher and her husband Aaron Logan of Claymont, DE and nine great-grandchildren.

Visitation with the family will be held at the Beeson Funeral Home, 2053 Pulaski Highway, Newark, DE 19702 on Monday, November 8, 2021 beginning at 10:00 am followed by a Life Celebration at 11:00 am.  Interment will be held at Gracelawn Memorial Park at 1:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 https://www.stjude.org/content/dam/en_US/shared/www/fundraising-programs/memorials-and-dedications/memorial-and-honor-mail-donation-form.pdf

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