Alma Ripel

Kind, thoughtful service to help lighten your burden.

Alma Ripel

Alma Elaine (Cote) Ripel passed away on March 11 in Kensington, NH from complications associated with Multiple Myeloma. She celebrated her 72nd birthday with her family last Sunday. From the moment of her diagnosis until her decline, she was strong and optimistic, and through it all, she remained most concerned with the welfare of her family and friends.

Alma was born on March 3, 1941 in Rockville Center, NY to Alfred and Anna (Robertson) Cote. In NY, she attended Our Lady of Loretto for grammar school and The Sacred Heart School for high school. Following graduation, at the age of 16, she attended the Mandel School for Medical Assistants. After working several years as both a medical and dental assistant, Alma became an administrative assistant at Grumman, where she met her future husband, Joseph Ripel. They married on June 17, 1967 and have remained devoted and loving spouses for nearly 46 years. Together they raised seven children, and after Joseph’s retirement, they traveled the world, visiting nearly every continent. Alma was also a very active volunteer in the community. While her children were in school, she participated in the PTA at Kensington Elementary School. In addition, she taught CCD for several years for Saint Michael’s Parish in Exeter. For the past 14 years, she has served as a Stephen’s Minister at Our Lady of Miraculous Medal in Hampton, NH.

Alma had no greater pleasure than spending time with her family. She loved being a wife, mother, and grandmother, and she was one who always put others before herself. Alma lived a life of service until the end, and she embodied her name, which means soul, nourisher, and lifter of spirits.

Alma is predeceased by her parents, Anna and Alfred Cote, her brother, Thomas Cote, and her sister-in-law Jean Cote. She is survived by her husband: Joseph Ripel, children: Craig Ripel, Tamera Murray, Keith Ripel, Kerri Harris, Brian Ripel, and Jennifer Ripel, and grandchildren: Ruthann Murray, Sarah Ripel, Colleen Murray, Katherine Ripel, Sienna Harris, and Tyler Ripel.

A viewing will be held from 4 - 7 PM on Tuesday, March 12 at the Stockbridge Funeral Home,141 Epping Road Exeter, NH. A funeral mass will be held at 10 AM on Wednesday, March 13 at Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Parish, 289 Lafayette Road, Hampton, NH. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Alma’s charity of choice, Saint Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

Stockbridge Funeral Home invites you to post your entries of love and support for the family. All postings are monitored and any inappropriate posts will be immediately deleted. Thanks in advance for your respect for the family.

Visitation -

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

4 - 7 pm

Stockbridge Funeral Home

141 Epping Road

Exeter, New Hampshire 03833

Directions to Visitation

Memorial Service -

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

10 am

Our Lady of the Miraculous

Medal Parish

289 Lafayette Road,

Hampton, New Hampshire

Directions to Service