Mrs. Theresa Marie Ripley (née Vienneau) of Sarasota, Florida, passed away on Friday, September 25, 2020 unexpectedly at Sarasota Memorial Hospital at the age of 74. Born in Rome, NY on September 26, 1945 to Dorothy (Murray) and Norman Vienneau, Theresa was the second oldest of six. She was a 1963 graduate of Saint Mary’s Academy in Rome, NY and attended SUNY Oneonta, graduating with a BS in Elementary Education in 1967.
In July of 1971, Theresa married the love of her life, Neil Ripley of Rome, NY. They resided in Syracuse, NY where they raised their two loving sons. She taught elementary education for over 30 years in the Onondaga Central School system where she was passionate about helping her students inside and outside of the classroom. Upon her retirement, she continued to mentor and support many in all aspects of life, especially those less fortunate. She truly cared about making other people’s lives better.
Aside from her professional and philanthropic work, Theresa enjoyed spending time with her family, friends, traveling the globe, gardening, and cooking. She loved exercise, finding new recipe’s to try, an occasional glass of wine (or two!), golden retrievers (Brandy, Koby, Chuck, Brody, and Norm) and rooting on the Syracuse Football and Basketball teams.
Theresa is survived by her husband, Neil Ripley of Sarasota, Florida; her sons, Brian and Craig Ripley of Chicago, IL; her sisters, Karen Hollifield of Woodlawn, VA, Patricia White of Sarasota, FL, Norine Paolozzi – Vienneau of New Hartford, NY, Dorothy Noad of Kissimmee, FL and her brother, Murray Vienneau of Rome, NY. She is preceded in death by Dorothy and Norman Vienneau of Rome, NY.
In honor of her memory, contributions may be made to the H. Lee Moffit Cancer Center & Research Institute. https://give.moffitt.org/
A memorial and celebration of life will be held on Wednesday, September 29, 2021 from 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm at Robert Toale and Sons Funeral Home at Palms Memorial Park, 170 Honore Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34232.
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