Mary Virginia Lippman

Ledyard - Mary Virginia Marsh Lippman of Ledyard, passed away Nov. 27, 2022. She was the oldest child of the late Iva Myrtle Virginia Davis Marsh and Henry Nelson Marsh. Mary was born March 5, 1946, in Grand Haven, Mich., but spent most of her life happily in Ledyard.

She graduated from Norwich Free Academy in 1964, and the University of Connecticut in 1968. She met Bernard "Bernie" Jerome Lippman in 1969, and they went on to spend the next 53 years loving and supporting one another, as well as their two daughters, Molly Maureen Lippman and Margo Meredith Lippman. Mary was known by many as "Saint" Mary because of her universal kindness and selflessness. She treated all people as equal to herself.

Mary's first job was the "egg route," driving her family's van delivering eggs around New London County. After college, she was a social worker in New Haven, then a magazine editor in New York. Back in Ledyard, she helped her parents run a busy sheriff's office and worked as a deputy sheriff, along with her sisters, Margaret "Peggy" and Maureen "Marty," who collectively came to be known as "Henry's Angels."

When her daughters were young, Mary's primary role was Mom, and she poured herself into caring for her family and her community, serving as a volunteer at Ledyard Center School, longtime Girl Scout and 4-H leader, Sunday school teacher at Ledyard Congregational Church, volunteer at the Ledyard food pantry, poll worker, member of the Democratic Town Committee, volunteer at the Ledyard Fair, and so much more. She sewed by hand each of her daughters' Halloween costumes and read to them every night. In addition to her immediate family, she was always there for her nieces, Katelyn "Katie" and Laura Norman, and lovingly cared for her mother Iva.

When her children were older, Mary went back to work at the Otis Library in Norwich. She cherished working alongside her close friend Kathy Wieland, who predeceased her earlier this year. Mary also enjoyed connecting with patrons, and in her spare time, was always working on a quilt, slipcover or other project for somebody she knew through the library. She poured her creativity and skills directly into the library as well, crafting vibrant holiday displays and children's crafts. Mary took great pride in everything she did, but never wanted any recognition.

Mary will be sorely missed by her loving family: husband Bernie Lippman of Ledyard; daughters Molly and Margo Lippman of New York; sister Maureen Marsh and nieces Katelyn Norman of Lebanon, and Laura Norman of Newport, R.I.; nieces, Colleen LaBranche Smith of North Stonington, and Charlotte LaBranche of East Lyme; and her many friends and acquaintances. Mary was predeceased by her sister Margaret LaBranche; and her brother Michael Marsh.

A funeral and celebration of Mary's life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, Ledyard Congregational Church. Her family will hold a private burial in the Ledyard Center Cemetery. If you feel moved to do so, please consider donating in remembrance of Mary to one of the organizations whose work she so valued: St. Vincent De Paul Place of Norwich, Southern Poverty Law Center or Planned Parenthood.