Marie Orpha Lee Tirapelle

Marie Orpha Lee (Orphie) Tirapelle was born on June 17, 1921 in Laverne, Oklahoma, the second of four children of Virgil and Melissa Marie Ham. Orphie passed away at New West Haven Assisted Living in Cameron Park, on March 3, 2020, surrounded by loved ones and under the care of Hospice.

Orphie moved to California in 1936 as a sophomore in high school and graduated in 1939 from El Dorado High School, in which she was active with the alumni reunions into her nineties. In 1947 she married Edward (Eddie) Tirapelle. Orphie had six children, Carlan, Mary Anne, Leon, Stephen, Thomas and Melissa. She was a dedicated supporter of her community and was known for her energy and enthusiasm. As an active parent and devoted volunteer with the Mother Lode School District through the 1970s, Orphie served as the President of the Parent Teacher Association for many years. After the kids were out of school, she also worked outside the home for eight years at the Sears catalog store. She worked tirelessly to support Friends of Hospice including coordinating fundraisers, like day and overnight bus trips to Lake Tahoe, that raised thousands of dollars over the years. The El Dorado Garden Club also had a special place in Orphie’s heart as she loved her flowers and also worked to fundraise for numerous efforts. Orphie was a faithful, long-term member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. She participated in various events including initiating the first after funeral service receptions as well as supporting the St. Patrick’s Ladies Society. Orphie was also bestowed a Papal Award for her extensive work with the Catholic Church.

Orphie was a doting wife to Eddie for 60 years until his death in 2007 as well as mother, grandmother, great and great-great grandmother. She loved working in her yard, fundraising, yard sales, collecting angels, watching her kids and grandkids play sports, traveling to Georgia and South Carolina to visit family, gambling and holiday decorating. Orphie was a wonderful cook and baker. No one ever walked away hungry at Orphie’s house.

Orphie was preceded in death by her husband, Eddie Tirapelle; parents, Virgil and Melissa Marie Ham; brother Hugh (Buster) Ham; sisters, Elsie Hart and Pauline Hart; and grandchildren, Johnny and Jenny Hobe. She is survived by brother-in-law, Louis Tirapelle; son, Carlan Meyer (Susan); granddaughters, Monica Huston (Scott) and Veronica Morgan (Jim); grandson, Michael (Lori); daughter, Mary Anne Hobe (John); granddaughter, Rebecca Wren (Kevin); son, Leon Tirapelle (Barbara); granddaughter, Grace Tirapelle; grandson, Dominic Tirapelle (Shara); granddaughter, Claire Tirapelle; son, Stephen Tirapelle (Jayne); grandson, Adam Tirapelle (Kim); granddaughter, Brooke Valenzuela (Raymond); grandsons, Alex Tirapelle (Amy), and Troy Tirapelle (Casey); son, Tommy Tirapelle; daughter, Melissa Frenn; grandson, Connor Frenn; twenty-nine great grandchildren; and nine great-great grandchildren.

Family will be receiving friends Monday, March 9th at Chapel of the Pines Funeral Home, 2855 Cold Springs Road, Placerville, California 95667 from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm with Recitation of The Holy Rosary beginning at 6:00 pm. A Funeral Mass will be conducted at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 3109 Sacramento Street, Placerville, California 95667 on Tuesday, March 10th at 11:00 AM. Committal will immediately follow at St. Patrick Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of customary remembrances, donations may be sent to Snowline Hospice, 6520 Pleasant Valley Road, Diamond Springs, California 95619, or St. Patrick Catholic Church, Ladies Society, 3109 Sacramento Street, Placerville, California, 95667.

Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of the professionals at Chapel of the Pines Funeral home.