RAIJA ANN PEIPPO

RAIJA ANN PEIPPO Raija Ann Peippo, 86, passed away peacefully on May 19, 2025, at Beacon Hill in Denison, TX. Prior to her brief stay at Beacon Hill, she resided at Celebration Senior Living in Denison for over two years. Raija was born on January 22, 1939, in Turku, Finland, the daughter of Sven Karl Fredrik and Anna Lydia (Hartikainen) Silander. At the age of 16, she immigrated to the United States with her family settling in CT in an area strongly influenced by Finnish heritage. On September 2, 1961, she married Aarne Peippo. This union resulted in two sons who were her pride and joy. After divorcing in 1975, she pursued her passion to become a nurse. She earned her RN from Mohegan Community College in 1980 and achieved a BS in Nursing from the University of Hartford in 1999. She worked at Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam, CT, from 1982 until 2003. Following her mother's death in 2003, Raija moved to Texas to be near her sons. She continued her nursing career at Wilson N. Jones Hospital from 2003-2005, and at Home Hospice of Grayson County from 2005 to 2013. She thoroughly enjoyed providing end-of-life care to her patients with kindness and dignity and supporting their families during their final days together. Raija possessed immense Christian faith and was a devout member of Trinity Lighthouse Church for many years. Her faith and dedication to service were evident in her participation and fellowship. Her life was filled with daily devotionals, prayer groups, and Bible studies. She made it a priority to bless others less fortunate and spread the word. Raija was a proud Finn encompassing SISU, a cherished Aiti (mother), and a beloved Mummi (grandmother). She will be forever remembered as a talented cook and baker. Baking delicious Finnish cookies at Christmas with her grandchildren was a true tradition that will be missed. Her sense of humor was dry yet evident in her daily life. She loved to travel before her health declined and encouraged others to enjoy life and God's beautiful creations and blessings. Raija is survived by her sons, Mark Peippo and wife, Sue, and their children, Andrew and Natalie, of Pottsboro, TX; and David Peippo and wife, Laura, and her son, Cole Mormon, of Gainesville, TX; her sister, Leena Charron (Ron) of Voluntown, CT; and brother, Olli Silander (Denise) of Jacksonville, FL; two nieces, and three nephews, along with additional extended family. She was preceded in death by her parents, her nephew, Michael Charron, in addition to aunts, uncles, and cousins. A service to celebrate Raija's life will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1515 N. Travis St., Sherman, TX, on July 26, 2025. Visitation will start at 10am followed by a service at 11am. In lieu of flowers, contributions to honor Raija's life may be made to Home Hospice of Grayson County, an organization close to her heart and reflective of her life's work or to any organization of donor's choice.