Wanda H. Piper

Wanda Helen Piper died March 26 at home, following a lengthy illness. She struggled for eight years with dementia. She resided in Essex and had earlier lived in Ipswich, Hamilton and Salem. She was born July 31, 1919, in Ipswich, the daughter of Mary and John Woleyko. She had two sisters and a brother - Irene Smerage, Mary Roberts and Edmund Woleyko, all deceased. It was a strong Polish family. Wanda had a lifelong interest in Polish causes and in her ethnic heritage. She attended Ipswich and Somerville schools and graduated from The Chandler School in Boston. During World War II, she served in France with the American Red Cross. There, she met Morley L. Piper, a young soldier in the American Army. They were married in Paris in 1946 at war's end. They were wed 68 years. He survives her, as does a daughter, Patricia F. Robert, two granddaughters, Laura H. Robert and Audrey Robert-Ramirez and her husband Axel, a great-granddaughter, Camille Piper Ramirez, and her niece Priscilla Koster and her husband Walter. Wanda was a lively woman of vision and strong beliefs, an inquisitive mind. Throughout life she was interested in a numerous social and political causes. She was a strong Democrat. She was widely admired for her intelligence, courage and warmth. She constantly reached out to others, was generous to a fault. She had an engaging personality that attracted a wide coterie of friends. In accordance with her wishes, there will be no services. Her spirit will always flow in the memories of those who loved her, in the tides of her beloved Lufkin Point and with the Ipswich beaches of her childhood. Remembrances in her name may be sent by those who wish to: The Open Door Pantry, 28 Emerson Ave., Gloucester, MA 01930. or Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, 636 Morris Turnpike, Suite 3A Short Hills, NJ 07078.