Maryann Margaret Donnelly Turpin, Vergennes, died on May 15, her 85th birthday following a short illness. As she passed into Jesus’ arms she was surrounded by family and love at home.
She was born in Waterbury, CT to Eugene Donnelly and Margaret Reilly Donnelly on May 15, 1939. Maryann joins her twin brother Martin “Butchy” Donnelly who died at the tender age of four. As a young teen, Maryann moved to Vermont from Connecticut with her family.
Maryann, known as Mimi, mom, mama, and Mickey and was loved by many. She was always happy to help others, no matter if she knew them or not. Religion was especially important to Maryann. She was happiest when she was in church. Prior to getting sick she would attend mass almost daily. Maryann loved being part of St. Peters Parish in Vergennes.
Maryann and husband Joe owned two restaurants over the years. The first was Mary and Joe’s Country Kitchen in Ferrisburgh and later the Park Restaurant in Vergennes. Maryann loved garage sales, furniture , bingo and fake flowers, or silk flowers as she referred to them. She took immense pride in her family and her home. The woman loved her rouge and lipstick.
Maryann married the love of her life, Joe Turpin, on April 15, 1961. Together they raised their daughters, Lisa, Joanne, Liz, and Amy in Shoreham, Ferrisburgh, Vergennes, Middlebury and finally back to Vergennes. A foster child, Doris, joined the family, and we were complete.
Maryann is survived by her five daughters and their families. Lisa Turpin and Mark Robert, Joanne Turpin-Wernhoff and husband Dale Wernhoff, Liz Warden, Amy Turpin-DeFilippo and husband Mark DeFilippo, and Doris Gallipo and husband Joe Gallipo. Her brother John Donnelly and wife Melinda Donnelly, cousin, Mary Beth Reilly, and nieces and nephews.
Mimi loved her grandchildren and was just as excited about the birth of the first grandchild as she was about the birth of her last grandchild. Her grandchildren are Sheena, Stephanie, Mary Margaret, Emily, Annie, Jonas, Cooper, McKenzie, Luigi, Domonic, Joe Mike, Matthew, Jonathan, Jeffrey, and Justin. Great grandchildren Noah, Daniel, Adler, Elizabeth, Hunter, Scarlett, Celia, Ender, Evelyn, and Lochlin.
Maryann was predeceased by her beloved husband Joseph Turpin, treasured son-in-law Jeffrey Warden and great grandchild, Hannah. She is also predeceased by her parents, sisters, Joan Bushey and Nancy Bushey, brothers, William Donnelly, and Martin Donnelly.
Calling hours will be held at Brown McClay Funeral Home in Vergennes on Sunday, June 9th from 5.00 pm to 7.00 pm. Maryann’s funeral will be held at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Vergennes on Monday, June 10th at 11.00 am.
Our heartfelt sympathies on your loss. Maryanne (and Joe) were the best neighbors! The stories they both could tell! Any time we stopped over to chat it was no 10 minute conversation. I went over on a winter morning as I saw her out shoveling the driveway at 10 a.m. to help…..I got home at 1 p.m.! When we finished she invited me in for hot chocolate and she, Joe, and I chatted away! We will miss her presence in our neighborhood.
Bob & Rhea Desroches
.
Liz, so sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. She sounded incredible from your stories. May she RIP.