Mildred M. Cipolla

Mildred Marsh Cipolla, 89, passed away August 2, 2014. Mildred lived with a keen sense of God’s active presence in her life and her family is very grateful for her legacy of faith. Mildred loved caring for her family, sharing with people, and living a life of gratitude to her Lord. She was friendly, inquisitive, interested in others, and always ready for a good conversation. In later years she particularly cherished time with her grand-children and great-grandchildren.

Mildred and her twin sister Marjorie were born on December 19, 1924 on a ranch in Sheridan, Montana, to Glen and Mabelle Marsh. As for many others, ranch life was challenging for all in the family but, as Mildred would quote her father, “We come from sturdy stock.” Montana left a life-long stamp on Mildred and Marjorie in everything from work ethic to their belief in the benefits of good cooking, blue skies, a well-stitched seam, and the smell of fresh-cut hay.

Twins from beginning to end, Mildred and Marjorie attended elementary through high school in Sheridan, studied at Montana State University, and finally moved to Pasadena, California, to study nursing. Shortly after graduation Mildred married Scott Cipolla and they lived in New Jersey where they raised their two daughters. She worked as a dialysis nurse for many years. Mildred and Scott later moved to Washington State to be near their daughters who had migrated west. Mildred has been preceded in death by her husband and her twin sister.

She leaves behind her loving family Mary Lynn Palmer (Bill) and Marsha Masson (Jim); grandchildren Bill (Cindy), Becky (Mike), and Elyse, and great-grandchildren Anna, Sam, Kate, and Lucy. Mildred is also survived by her brother Robert Marsh of Sheridan, Montana.
The family wishes to thank the loving caregivers at Emeritus at Fairhaven and PeaceHealth St. Joseph Adult Day Health Program.

A graveside service will be held at 11 am on Friday, August 8th at Bayview Cemetery in Bellingham, Washington. Gifts in memory of Mildred may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society of Washington.