Jane A. Ripley

- 03/27/2011

 

Jane A. Ripley (nee Werbowetzki) was born in Ivanowka, Trembowla, Poland (now the Ukraine) on August 12, 1923. Her mother, Josepha Dobrowalska Werbowetzki had had another older daughter who died in Poland, for whom Jane was named. That child was Anna Janina, and Jane was named Janina Anna. This was Anglicized to Jane Ann. She was brought to the new world by her mother on the USS Pennland travelling from Antwerp Belgium to Halifax Nova Scotia, Canada, in November 1926. She was brought to America as a toddler, by her mother and father, and she grew up in Chicago where she went to Kelly High School. There she was a thespian and reveled in the stage, and then attended Columbia School of Broadcasting for her two year associate degree..

In the 1940's she worked at the Chicago Tribune and during that time met her future husband Roy Ripley through his sisters who'd met her first and fell in love with her. Once introduced to Roy, it was a true love match, and also a love match between the old world and the new world. She was born in the old country and Roy was a descendant of the Mayflower, but no one knew that at the time. They were in love, and thought of only how grand the world was to have the two of them in it.

When Roy, as a Navy seaman, was to ship out of San Diego for deployment in the Asian Pacific theatre during World War II, her future sister in laws accompanied her by train from Chicago to San Diego to see him off. Meanwhile, her professor at Columbia had set her up with a screening in Hollywood, and when you see her pictures as a young woman, you will see why. Incredibly beautiful, the camera loved her. On the train to San Diego, newspapers brought the news that a young starlet had taken her own life, so Jane eschewed the Hollywood life and returned to Chicago where she waited for Roy to return. During her entire life she was grateful for her spouse, her family and never was regretful for not entering the Hollywood scene. Her children always thank her for so much.

Jane and Roy married in January 1946, and settled in Villa Park IL after a four year period in Duarte CA. Jane Ann Ripley became a citizen of the United States of America under the War Bride Act, one of the most cherished moments of her life.

Jane and Roy had five children with whom they had marvelous relationships: Kathleen, Alexandra, Carollynne, Thomas and Robert. Her children gave her wonderful daughters- and sons - in-law, and then, 16 frisky grandchildren, and, so far, three great grandchildren, of whom one survives. Their names are: Kathleen Ellen and Victor Leo (sons Mark (Susie, their son Owen, their daughters deceased, Addison and Shea); and Joseph Leo); Alexandra and Gregory Kimball (Sarah Jane, Gregory Jr,, Todd, and Sherry (Marty) Tobin); Carollynne Louise and Lawrence Kelly (Eric, Patrick, Christopher); Thomas LeRoy and Deborah Ripley (Sean and Erika); Robert Joseph and Rhonda Ripley (Rhiannon, Robert Jr., Riley, Roxanna, and Ryan). Her dear husband Roy preceded her in death in 1986.

Among her gifts to the Villa Park community were her devotion to St. Pius X Church, her managerial skills at the Willowbrook Tennis Club, and Lions Clubs International. Her enthusiasm and skill at any thing she tackled was a role model of excellence to her friends and family.

Her life was a gift to all, she was a true artist and taught her children that their minds and hearts could fly and that the world was their oyster. Hence they live from California to Maine, and always kept in touch with her. She was a wife of a Mayflower descendent and inspired her children to love this country, and cherish the freedoms America represented, which in the old country, behind the iron curtain, were so denied.

She is also survived by her sister Olga Marzec of Glen Ellyn IL (daughter Kay Malek (George, sons Luke and Andrew, daughter Olivia; son Christopher Marzec); and her brother Adolph Werbowetzi (wife Lily, sons Michael and William, daughter Julia Mack) of Clinton Maryland.

She was daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, great aunt to her large and adoring family. And a friend one could count on to countless people.

We salute this brave stalwart woman, legacy of the old world, provider to the new world…. and importantly, a foundation for future generations to a nation she cherished.

Funeral will be Saturday April 2, 2011 at St. Pius X Church in Lombard, IL Mass 10:00 a.m. with interment to follow at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside, IL

Arrangements by Steuerle Funeral Home 350 S. Ardmore Ave, Villa Park, Il

For info 630-832-4161 or www.steuerlefh.com