Mary Virginia Ripley, 94, of Sweet Home, Oregon passed away peacefully in her sleep on Saturday, February 2, and is now again with her husband, Del. She was born in Kansas City, Missouri to John and Marylean (Bitzer) Ryan.

She attended St. Aloysis Catholic School. After graduating, she met Del in 1942 at a dance at the Playmor in Kansas City. He told everyone she was the prettiest girl in Kansas City and the best dancer. Because it was WWII, Del was stationed all over the United States attending aviation mechanic classes and working on planes, and Mary followed him. They were married November 10, 1943.

When the war ended, they moved to Sweet Home, and Del and his dad opened Ripleys Chevron Station on the corner of 18th and Main. Mary worked at City Hall in the water department and for the Welds at Sweet Home Sanitation. She also worked at Edward Jones and real estate in Lebanon.

Mary is survived by her three daughters, Carol Jean Wence of Hilo, Hawaii, Marilyn Mumey of Surprise, Arizona, and Elaine Bliss of Arkansas; four grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

Rosary will be at 12:30 a.m., Saturday, February 9, at St. Helen Catholic Church in Sweet Home. Funeral Mass will follow at 1:00 p.m. A luncheon will follow services, also at the church. Private internment will be at Gilliland Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made in Mary’s memory to St. Helen Catholic Church Building Fund.

Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling arrangements.