Ann Thrift Sipe

1937 - 2023

Ann Thrift Sipe

February 11, 1937 - April 22, 2023

Ann Elliott Thrift Sipe, alive on this Earth for 86 years, two months, and 11 days, lived nearly every day in service to others.

Mother to three sons and a daughter, she made herself available to her children in so many ways. She was active in their schools, served as a Sunday School teacher for many years, and was the Girl Scout leader of Conover Troop 94 for 12 years. Kids are jerks sometimes and didn't always appreciate her efforts, especially the Girl Scout leader part; however, Ann knew that scouting would be an invaluable asset to her daughter's life and made her stick with it from Brownies to Senior Scouts. It was in scouts that Ann shared her love of nature and the outdoors with so many girls and helped them understand the importance of caring for nature and making sure to "Leave no trace." She continued that path by supporting charities that planted trees, cared for wildlife, and fought pollution, as well as being an example to that commitment by coordinating the Caring for Creation trash pickup team for many years at Mt. Zion.

Ann lived to help others. She was an active Hospice volunteer for over 30 years. She worked with families experiencing homelessness at the Family Care Center in Conover, and delivered meals to the elderly through Meals-On-Wheels. For many years she visited shut-ins and shared Holy Communion with them. She was always available to chat on the phone with anyone needing a shoulder to cry on, or to give advice to people who were struggling. She loved picking an angel from the Angel Tree at Christmastime and tried hard to make that child's Christmas perfect. Her work was done quietly, without fanfare, most of the time without notice, but it was so important.

Ann believed in her family. Both Ann and Harvey, her husband of nearly 60 years, had been married previously and both lost their spouses tragically. They met at the orthopedic therapy office where she was being treated for injuries sustained in a car accident and Harvey was getting therapy for a compound fracture. The therapist's office staff scheduled appointments for them both right before noon and then closed for lunch, leaving them in the waiting room to get to know each other. Believing that "all things work together for good to those who love the Lord" it was obvious to them both that they had been brought together for a reason. That reason was to join together to raise their three boys and to love life together. They had a daughter five years later. Ann maintained that the use of terms like step-brother, or half-brother, step-mother, step-father did not apply to this family. We are family. Mother, father, sons and daughter. We were to be kind, understanding, protective of each other, and loyal to each other. She led by example.

Ann had a great sense of humor. It was very hard to know if she was being serious when she answered your questions or if she was trying to pull your leg. She said that if she died before Harvey she was going to ask to be cremated and have her ashes stirred into a gallon of ceiling white paint to be applied to the bedroom ceiling. She didn't want Harvey to forget her if he got remarried!!

Her sense of humor made it difficult for her family when she began forgetting things. At first it was just a word here and there that she just couldn't recall. Then it was more serious things like forgotten appointments, lost keys, doubling up on medicine because she couldn't remember what day it was. She covered up her forgetfulness with humor. If there is one thing this family has learned it's that Dementia is a horrible disease. The long good-bye can taint the memory of a life well lived. We are grateful that Ann's journey with dementia was not terribly long. We were able to keep her home where she wanted to be, even though at times she didn't realize she was home. We were able to be gentle with her, guide her through the rough patches, and give her the gift of a peaceful death through Hospice.

Remember her every time you hug your people. Remember her when you do kindnesses to strangers, when you take the time to share yourself with others in need. Remember her when you pull somebody's leg and rejoice when you actually remember the punchline to a good joke. Remember her when you hear beautiful music. Remember her when you enjoy some ice cream. Her spirit will live on through the kindnesses passed down from her kind and generous example.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Rollins Everett Thrift; and second husband of 59 years, Harvey Lee Sipe.

Those left to cherish her memory are; sons: Rickey Lee Sipe and Nancy Calloway Blanchard Sipe of Lewisville, Michael Edward Sipe and Rebecca Bowers Sipe of Dexter, Mich., Terry Lynn Thrift and daughter-in-law Karen Thrift of Conover; daughter: Jill Adriene Sipe and special friend Bradley Weeks of Conover; grandchildren: Heather Blanton (Dean Blanton), Cheryl Hamby (Brandon Hamby), Alicia Eller (Shane Eller), Kristen Killian (Tyler Killian), John Sipe (Ashley Schafer Sipe), Anna Sipe (Jose Luis Marcos), Dera Buckland (Ike Buckland), Justin Sipe, Rachael Woodard (Scott Woodard), and Rebekah Allman; great-grandchildren: Tori and Tate Blanton, Tyrzah, Mazzylyn, and Zoey Hamby, Nick and Kyle Eller, Koen, Landon and Georgia Killian, Evan and Maia Buckland, Erik and Silvia Marcos, Dax Hasty, Aaron McAveney and Evelyn Allman; great-great-grandchildren: Skyla Blanton and Marshel Turnas.

A memorial service to celebrate Ann's life will be held on Sunday, April 30, 2023 at 3 p.m. at Mt. Zion Lutheran Church in Conover. Rev. Scott Bollinger will officiate. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will hold an ice cream social following the service to visit and share memories of this wonderful woman.

Memorials may be made to Carolina Caring, 3975 Robinson Road Building 3, Suite A, Newton, NC 28658, Smile Train, 633 Third Avenue, 9th floor, New York, NY 10017, or Mt. Zion Lutheran Church, 4420 County Home Road, Conover, NC 28613

Condolences may be sent to the Sipe family at www.bennettfuneralservice.com

The Sipe family is in the care of Bennett Funeral Service of Newton, 828-465-2111.