MARY EVELYN KIPP

MIDDLEBURY — Mary E. Kipp, known as “Betty,” formerly of Vergennes, passed into eternal life with her Heavenly Father late evening Friday, Sept. 20, at the age of 92. Her family surrounded her for days before her passing. Betty was born on May 25, 1932, in San Diego, Calif., to William Johannes and Hazel Evelyn Drees. Betty’s father emigrated from the Netherlands and her mother had family in Arkansas.

Due to her fathers’ Navy career, and World War II, the family moved frequently within the United States. Betty completed elementary school in Cleveland, Ohio and high school in Grand Rapids, Mich. At eighteen she met and married her husband of 59 years, John J. Kipp, in 1950. The couple moved to Hawthorne, N.J., where her husband’s family resided, after the wedding, After bearing two sons, and the family was complete, Betty went on to nursing school and graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 1968 as a registered nurse. She was employed by Barnert Hospital, Paterson. N.J.

The family vacationed every year in Vermont and yearned for the day they could move there. Betty initiated the move when the family came to Ferrisburgh in 1970 and purchased the Skyview Motel. She managed the motel business for sixteen years. After the sale of the property, the couple moved to their new home in Panton, Vt., where they lived for 30 years. Upon being widowed, she moved to Armory Lane Elderly Residence, Vergennes where she acquired new, dear friends she called “sisters.”

Champlain Valley Christian Reformed Church, Vergennes, Vt., was her home church for the past 54 years. Her attendance included Sunday services, Bible studies, and volunteer committees. She was a magnet to the little children there that loved her. She taught everyone she met to “Lean on the Lord.”

Betty was an active citizen in the Vergennes community and was a member of the Vergennes Lions Club, Vergennes Community Forum, Bixby Library volunteer, Meals on Wheels volunteer, and enjoyed her friends at Long Trail Physical Therapy. She loved the natural beauty of Vermont and was a member of the Addison County Forest and Field Club. In her free time her hobbies included gardening and hospitality. If she had an addiction, it was coffee. Even during an illness, she never refused a cup of hot java! Betty loved people and liked to entertain in her home or invite a friend to meet for lunch at a local restaurant.

Perhaps her greatest gift to her family was time invested in eight grandchildren and 23 great- grandchildren. Since the time of their birth, “Meme,” was in their lives offering love and encouragement.

Betty is survived by son William J. and his wife Dee of Middlebury and son John James and his wife Bridget of New Haven. She is predeceased by her brother, William Drees of Colorado. Her extended family includes nieces and nephews in Virginia and Colorado.

There will be no calling hours. A celebration of life is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 5, at 1 p.m., at the Champlain Valley Christian Reformed Church in Vergennes. A reception will follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Addison County Home Health and Hospice.◊