Mary Louise Ripley

Mary Louise Tish Ripley, age 96, passed away in Whittier on September 21, 2015. Tish was born in Lincoln, NE, in 1918, the second daughter and last child of George and Jennie (Newcomb) Speidell. Despite the German surname, her family heritage was about 75% English. She was a descendant of early New England immigrants including Mayflower passenger Henry Samson.



Tish grew up in Lincoln with her parents and her sister, the late Dorothy Peterson. She attended the University of Nebraska, graduating with a BS degree in Business Administration in 1940. An excellent student, she was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa honorary society.



Tish met John Adams Jack Ripley during her college years through her friend Doris Ripley, Jacks sister. They were married on September 1, 1940 and moved to Evansville, Indiana, where Jack had found a job. They migrated to the Los Angeles area in 1941.



Jack entered the Navy in 1943 and Tish migrated to various stateside Navy postings with him. She worked briefly as a drafter at Lockheed Aircraft near the end of World War II. They returned to the Los Angeles area after the war.



Their son John was born in 1948, followed soon by Paul in 1950. The family moved to Whittier in 1951, buying a home on Ramona Drive and then moving to Catalina Avenue in 1959. Tish was active in the PTA and many social groups. She and Jack enjoyed square dancing in the 1950s. Tish worked at Jacks advertising agency as a bookkeeper after the boys left home.



After retiring in 1982-83 they enjoyed socializing with friends and family as well as traveling in their small motor home. Tish loved their various cats and delighted in birdwatching, a lifelong hobby.



After Jacks passing in 2010, she lived independently in her home, assisted by caregivers only during the last year. Tish retained her faculties to within days of her peaceful death at home with family by her side. She is survived by sons John (Donna) and Paul, and a number of nieces, nephews, and cousins.



Tish was a somewhat reserved and private person, but warm and empathetic within. Her memory will be cherished for her love of family, sharp intelligence, and conscientious efforts to always do the right thing.