Obituary for Mary Catherine Tirpak (Tirpak)
Mary Catherine Tirpak passed away peacefully at home, on March 31, 2020, at the age of 92.
Mary was born to parents Joseph and Anastasia Tirpak on November 16, 1927, in Patton, Pennsylvania, where she was raised with her 8 siblings. As a young adult, Mary moved to New York City where she took pleasure in the arts, including the opera and orchestra at Lincoln Center, Broadway, and various museums and art exhibits. Mary then moved to Ohio before settling in Ann Arbor, MI.
Mary spent her adult years proudly raising her six children and dedicated her life to helping others through her work as a chemical abuse counselor at Huron Valley Women’s Prison, Child & Family Services, and the Packard Community Clinic. In her free time, she loved New York Times crossword puzzles, birdwatching and gardening. She took great pride in her own gardens and passed her skill onto her children. Mary also took joy in spending time with her 13 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren, all of whom knew her simply as Baba.
Mary was preceded in death by both of her parents, and her siblings. She is survived by her six children: Lisa (Mark) Benzick, Kathy (Jerry) Schlenker, Lexi (Frank) McKenney, Mark (Yvonne) Derrenberger, Matt (Marti) Derrenberger, and Kristin Derrenberger, as well as her thirteen grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
At Mary’s request, there is no service planned. Those who wish to memorialize Mary may do so by
making a donation in her name, to a charity of their choice.
Mary was born to parents Joseph and Anastasia Tirpak on November 16, 1927, in Patton, Pennsylvania, where she was raised with her 8 siblings. As a young adult, Mary moved to New York City where she took pleasure in the arts, including the opera and orchestra at Lincoln Center, Broadway, and various museums and art exhibits. Mary then moved to Ohio before settling in Ann Arbor, MI.
Mary spent her adult years proudly raising her six children and dedicated her life to helping others through her work as a chemical abuse counselor at Huron Valley Women’s Prison, Child & Family Services, and the Packard Community Clinic. In her free time, she loved New York Times crossword puzzles, birdwatching and gardening. She took great pride in her own gardens and passed her skill onto her children. Mary also took joy in spending time with her 13 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren, all of whom knew her simply as Baba.
Mary was preceded in death by both of her parents, and her siblings. She is survived by her six children: Lisa (Mark) Benzick, Kathy (Jerry) Schlenker, Lexi (Frank) McKenney, Mark (Yvonne) Derrenberger, Matt (Marti) Derrenberger, and Kristin Derrenberger, as well as her thirteen grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
At Mary’s request, there is no service planned. Those who wish to memorialize Mary may do so by
making a donation in her name, to a charity of their choice.