Joanne Elizabeth Rippingham passed away December 13, 2016, comforted by her family after beating cancer for over 30 years. She was born on June 2, 1936, in Grants Pass, Oregon, but moved two weeks later to Reno/Sparks area where she lived her entire life.

Joanne attended St. Thomas Elementary School and Northside Junior High School. She graduated from Reno High and loved going to RHS reunions to see old friends. She married Pat Rippingham in June of 1959 and they had 4 wonderful children, Mike (Linda), Greg, Jimmy (Julie) and Lori (Josh).

Joanne is proceeded in death by her husband, who died in a boating accident on Pyramid Lake on Dec. 7, 1970 and by her son Greg, who died of Marfan syndrome on Sept. 2, 1980.

Joanne worked for the WCSD for 30 years at Traner Middle School as a secretary for the counselors. After retiring, she worked part time at Imagination Station Preschool. She loved working with kids and always had unique decorations that she would share with the children.

Joanne loved anything sports related, but her passion was softball. She coached hundreds of girls in the 70’s and 80’s for the Sparks Ponytail program. She, herself, played softball well into her late 70’s. She continued to bowl 2 days a week until this year. She rarely missed a Nevada football or basketball home game. If she wasn’t at a Nevada game, she was either at a softball field or basketball gym watching one of her grandkids play.

Joanne loved her pets, and took their names very seriously; they were all named after her favorite libation. She is deeply missed by Bacardi, her most recent Golden Retriever.

Joanne also loved to travel and enjoyed being with her travel group, traveling around the world.

Along with her surviving children, she leaves behind her grandchildren, Christopher, Savanna, Patrick, Alyson, Drew, Ryan, and Gabby. Her great-grandchildren, Mason, Jayda, Jaxon, and Ivy.

We would like to thank Dr. Chu, Dr. Conrath, Gentiva Hospice, and the 5th floor nurses at Northern Nevada Medical Center for their compassion and kindness towards our mom.

A memorial mass will be held on December 28, 2016, at Holy Cross Catholic Church 5650 Vista Blvd., Sparks, NV, at 10:00 am. A reception will immediately follow at Pinocchio’s 4820 Vista Blvd., Sparks. Donations in her memory can be made to SPCA of Northern Nevada at SPCAnevada.org.

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