Shirley Marie Ripp

Ripp, Shirley Marie (née Vedros), 83, passed away December 18, 2025. Shirley Marie Ripp (née Vedros) died peacefully on December 18, 2015, in Deltona, Fla., at the age of 83. Shirley was born August 23, 1932, in Raceland, La. She married Ronald R. Ripp, Sr., in May 1951, and together, they raised their five children in Algiers, La., and later in Lake Mary, Fla. She is survived by her four children, Ronald Ripp, Jr., (with wife, Patty) of Aurora, Colo.; Donald Ripp (with wife, Alba) of Richmond, Va.; Julia (Julie) Fudge (with husband, Randy) of DeBary, Fla.; and Roger Ripp of Lake Mary, Fla. She is also survived by 14 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Shirley was preceded in death by her husband; her son, Lt. William (Billy) Ripp; her parents, Therese M. and John F. Vedros I; her brother, John F. Vedros II (Junior); and sister-in-law Helen Toups Vedros. Shirley was a loving mother and accomplished domestic engineer — known for her southern Louisiana Cajun cooking. She worked at the historic Golden Grain macaroni factory in New Orleans and as a fine China consultant at the Maison Blanche department store in Gretna, Louisiana. Shirley was a dedicated member of the Nativity Catholic Church in Longwood, Florida, serving as a Eucharistic Minister and volunteering with multiple church activities. Her social groups included TOPS, the Red Hat Society and Longwood YMCA seniors programs. Shirley also loved traveling around the world and visiting her family at stateside and overseas locations. The viewing wake will take place at Baldwin-Fairchild Oaklawn Chapel, 5000 County Road 46A in Sanford on Sunday December 20, 2015 from 2 to 4 PM. A Catholic Mass is scheduled at Nativity Catholic Church on Monday December 21, 2015 at 10:30 AM. Rev. Augustine Clark will officiate the Mass. A luncheon will be held at Nativity following the Mass at 11:30 AM. The interment will follow at Oaklawn Cemetery in Sanford, Florida. In honor of Shirley’s favorite color, the family requests that attendees wear purple, if possible. Casual dress is appropriate. Condolences may be sent via {URL}. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the charity of your choice. The family would like to especially thank all the caregivers and have the deepest appreciation for all of her doctors, physician assistants, therapist, nurses and CNAs of Deltona Health Care and the spiritual support from the Nativity Catholic Church and Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church) the Priests, Eucharistic Ministers, lay persons, parishioners and Chaplains who provided her the unconditional love and care. Here is a snapshot of Shirley's life and family: Shirley was born on August 23, 1932 in Raceland, Louisiana. Her father was John Freeman Vedros, I and mother was Therese Marie (née Adams) Vedros. Her Daddy was a farm laborer who made his living in the sugarcane fields cutting sugarcane by hand and her Moma was a homemaker. Her brother John Freeman Vedros, II ( was called Junior) was two years older than her. Their family lived in a home owned, shop by the general store and banked with the bank owned by the sugarcane company that produced the Brer Rabbit molasses and syrups. All were located on the sugarcane plantation and fields. The family was very active in the local Catholic Church. She attended school at farm school house that had multiple grade levels. When she was ten years old they moved to Gretna, Louisiana. Her father then worked at a manufacturing factory in New Orleans. With the money saved over twenty five years working in sugarcane fields they were able to purchase 2 acres of land and with a home on it. Inside plumbing was the biggest thing they enjoyed the most. Shirley helped her family with their vegetable garden, fruit trees and chickens. The family was very active with the St Joseph's Catholic Church in Gretna. She completed the 8th Grade at McDonough (Secondary Jr. High). She then went to work at the historic Golden Grain Macaroni factory in New Orleans for several years and made five lifelong friends. Amongst these is her closest best friend forever Joyce Flott who lives in Jacksonville. They are like sisters. She met her future husband Ronald Raymond Ripp in 1949 at a Catholic Youth Organization ( CYO) dance. Ronald (she called him Ripp) and they courted, got engaged and then we're married at St Joseph's Church on May 31, 1951. Ripp enlisted in the US Navy. He was stationed in San Diego and they set up their home there. Shirley got pregnant and Ripp's ship was deployed to Korea. She moved back to Algiers, Louisiana and lived with Ripp's parents' home (Roy Louis Ripp and Ivy Mae (née Sterling) Ripp and his great Aunts Julia Hough and Rose Brown). Shirley was due to deliver the first week in July 1953. She had to be brought to the Marine Hospital in New Orleans on May 13, 1953 for premature labor. At 11:57pm Ronald Raymond Ripp, Jr (weighing in at 3 pounds 14 ounces) was born. He was the baby of the family for just 8 minutes. A surprise to everyone on May 14, 1953 at 12:05am Ripp (#2 identical twin) Donald Joseph Ripp (weighing in at 4 pounds 10 ounces) was born. No one knew she was having twins until she went to the hospital that day. So when Seaman Ripp heard the announcement from his ship's Captain he was in shock. 6 weeks early and Twins. When Ripp was discharged from the US Navy and had incurred a kidney disability which was rated at zero percent. He was told that eventually the exposure he had would result in kidney failure. He returned to Algiers and began his career with the New Orleans Fire Department. Shirley and Ripp rented a home and began their next phase of family life. Shirley was a full time mother and took in doing laundry and ironing to help with income. She was active in the Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church and school in Algiers. This is where Ripp attended church and school. Ripp's father was very active in the Church Groups and was a solo singer in the choir. Roy's singing of Ave Maria was known throughout the Catholic dioceses in New Orleans. Shirley remained a full time mother and homemaker. She gave birth to their third child a son William (Billy) Camille Ripp on September 21, 1957. Their fourth child a daughter Julia (Julie) Rose Ripp on December 4, 1959. Holy Name of Mary is where the twins, Billy and Julie were baptized and received first communion. Donald's favorite childhood memory is how Moma taught us to ride our bicycles. She never own or rode one in her life but was able to teach us. When she was 35 years old she got her first bike. Shirley and Ripp purchased their first home in 1963. The entire family was active at St Julian Eymard Catholic Church. Their fifth child Roger John Ripp was born on August 26, 1966. Roger was baptized and first communion at St Julian. All five received confirmation here. All attended CCD classes there. Ronnie and Patty were married here on August 4, 1973. Shirley got her first job at Maison Blanche's Department Store as a fine China consultant. Shirley's mother Therese Marie (née Adams) was diagnosed with cancer in January 1974 and came to live with them. Shirley was her caregiver until her death at their home in March 1974. It was after the Therese's wake she received her great great grandmother's rosary. The family tradition is that this rosary is held with the hands in the coffin during the wake and prior to the closing of the coffin the oldest daughter will then receive this rosary. Julie will receive this rosary and will be the fifth generation to get this sacred heirloom. Julie's daughter Rachelle will become the sixth generation. Ripp's health began to decline with a series of heart attacks of which one was while fighting a fire. He was a lieutenant and was then moved to a leadership position on the New Orleans Fire Department at its headquarters managing the pension board. Ripp's kidneys began to fail and heart condition forced him into early medical disability retirement from the Fire Department. Ripp subsequently file for disability through the Veterans Administration. He was approved for a 100% disability based on his service connected kidney condition. His doctors told him that his life expectancy was going to be about 5 to 6 years. In late November 1975 their new home was completed and moved to Lake Mary, Florida. They had friends there who had retired there and would visit for vacations. This immediately became home and the Ripp's became active members of the community. Shirley active with the Nativity Catholic Church, Ripp with the Lake Mary Fire Department and Lake Mary Chamber of Commerce, son Billy as a Lake Mary Police Officer and later a Seminole County Sheriff. Shirley became a grandmother for the first time on April 20, 1975 with son Ronnie and daughter-in-law Patty giving birth to grandson Ryan Randall Ripp at Royal Air Force Station Lakenheath in Suffolk, England, United Kingdom. 13. Shirley had her first trip out of the United States and airplane flight flying from New Orleans to London England to see her grandson. She also travelled with Patty across the English Channel to France for a shopping adventure in Paris. This was the beginning of her passion to travel and see the world. She later saw many countries of Europe visiting Donald and his family as well as traveling on tours with friends. Other family visits and travels included several trips to Hawaii and Puerto Rico. This would be fueled by going to see all of her 14 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren who were loves of her life as often as she could. Shirley had many life and joyful celebrations with the weddings of Billy and Julie and the births of grandchildren Kevin, John, Rachelle, Jennifer. Ripp 's health continued to decline despite his medical care. On November 3, 1980 while visiting family and lif long friends in Algiers he died as a result of a massive heart attack and kidney failure. Ripp's celebration of Life and funeral mass was at Nativity. In honor of his years of being a Firefighter in the US Navy, New Orleans Fire Department and his support to the Lake Mary Fire Department his funeral procession had a Lake Mary Fire Department Fire Engine. Shirley got her strength during these hard times through her faith in God, support from her family and friends and the parishioners from Nativity Catholic Church. Throughout the next 40 plus years her life was enriched through the subsequent marriages of Donald and Roger and the many births of grandchildren and great grandchildren. She always went to visit shortly after each birth and was there for their Baptisms. Julie and Donald said that Moma loved getting each of the grandchildren to imitate her by making "Sweet Eyes". Shirley loved attending their high school and college graduations as well as their weddings. Her involvement in volunteering at Nativity fulfilled her passion to help others unconditionally. Shirley's expertise of southern Cajun cooking was always welcomed by all the various community pot lucks, funeral luncheons, fund raisers as well as her family holiday celebrations. She was an active member in social groups that included T.O.P.S., various senior groups, members of the Nativity parishioners who formed a local chapter Red Hat Society (celebrated their 12th Anniversary in 2015) and the Longwood Seniors YMCA group. She was the Queen of the year for T.O.P.S. in 1983 and attended many Red Hat meetings and conventions in Florida and annual conventions throughout the states. Her love of dancing allowed her to be part of groups that entertained at these gatherings. Shirley was dedicated in going to the YMCA and was awarded many ribbons for her achievements and set records for females in her age group several times throughout the years. Shirley loved to go on group outings to Broadway productions, local theater plays and musicals, luncheons at nice resorts and five star restaurants, tour trips to historic places and cruises to the Caribbean, Bahamas and Alaska. Shirley's most favorite trip ever was to Rome and touring the Vatican City, Vatican Musuem, the Sistine Chapel, St Peter's Basilica and Square. Being there was a real sacred and spiritual experience that she has always cherished. Throughout the years the circle of life with the losses of family and friends she once again called upon her faith in God. Her son Billy's untimely death in May 1986 was a challenge by all. Once again her family, friends and parishioners of Nativity Catholic Church gave the support needed. Billy was a Lieutenant on the Seminole County Sheriff force. His funeral was attended by Florida law enforcement agencies from throughout the state. Over hundred agencies and their cars were in attendance for the funeral mass and burial. Shirley's brother John Freeman Vedros, II died in May 1994. He was a source of strength for her throughout her entire life. Shirley and Ripp's brothers, sisters, all the their spouses, and in-laws have died and she was the last of her generation. Her last four years of life she suffered with the memory impairments of dementia and Alzheimer's. The support of her children (especially Julie and Roger), family and friends allowed her to have the highest quality of Life possible. Julie and Roger have put their lives on hold for her unconditionally. She thoroughly enjoyed her surprise 80th a Birthday party. Thanks to modern technology the surprise guest via Skype was her son Donald who was in a health care facility in Virginia. Donald has been hospitalized since December 2007 as result of combat wounds suffered in a chemical attack in Afghanistan. She grieved heavily based on his ability not to have a full life having to be cared for 24 by 7 at medical rehabilitation centers, hospitals and long term care facilities. Shirley's multiple trips to visit him came to an end with her illness. Our family can't thank everyone enough to all those you gave of their time unconditionally to assist her during these years. Shirley made her decisions and plans years ago for her long term care, medical decisions on her behalf, disposition of her worldly possessions, funeral arrangements and Catholic Mass. She wanted to lessen the burden for her family.