Mary Therese Patricia Haverstuhl Sipperley, 91, of Red Hook

MARCH 8, 1927 - SEPT. 29, 2018

RED HOOK >> Mary Therese Patricia Haverstuhl Sipperley, 91, of Red Hook, N.Y., passed away on Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018. A native of Joliet, Ill., she was born to the late Joseph and Patricia (Reilly) Haverstuhl on March 8, 1927. The Midwest was her home until she joined the U.S. Navy in 1950.

While stationed in Washington, D.C., Mary T met and married her husband, Arthur Sipperley, in six months. They married on the U.S. Naval Base Treasure Island in San Francisco Bay on Oct. 9, 1952, and made their way to Art’s hometown of Red Hook by 1954. Mary and Art were married for 65 years, not only loving each other, but in love to the day she died, and he survives at their home.

She was a practical woman who could not tolerate bullies or braggarts, and if evidence of either trait showed in her children, she took immediate action to snuff out the flaw in character. Fierce in intelligence and fiery in temper, her love of reading, ice cream, and dogs were with her to the end of her life. She often said her Roman Catholic faith sustained her when, as it does for all, life became difficult.

Survived by her seven children and their spouses, nine grandchildren, and two greatgrandchildren, Mary T was a woman who lost her mother at the age of four, yet always knew motherhood was her vocation. She was selfless and loving; simply the best when a child was sick. Her ability to combine an unsentimental perspective and wry sense of humor with uncommon tenderness was unusual, but happily never left her.

Aware of her personal flaws, she insisted, “On my tombstone it was written, ‘She tried.’” And she always did; she always showed up, and on her tombstone it is thus written.

If anyone wishes to honor Mary T’s memory, her family asks donations to be made to The Red Hook Public Library, 7444 S. Broadway, Red Hook, N.Y. 12571.

With a known dislike of wakes, Mary T insisted she wanted no calling hours.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018, at 11:30 a.m. at St. Christopher’s Church, Red Hook, N.Y.

Arrangements are under the direction of Burnett & White Funeral Homes, 7461 S. Broadway, Red Hook, N.Y.

For directions or to sign the online guest book, please visit www. Burnett-White.com.