Wanda Helen (Woleyko) Piper,
95, wife of Morley L. Piper of Lufkin Point Road, Essex, died March
26, 2015 in her home following her eight year struggle
with dementia.
Born in Ipswich July
31, 1919 she was the daughter of the late John and Mary (Zyzkowska)
Woyeyko. Wanda was raised in a strong Polish family and had a
lifelong interest in Polish causes and her ethnic heritage. She
attended Ipswich and Somerville public schools and was a graduate of
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. Together they resided and raised their family in
Hamilton, Salem and Essex.
Wanda was a lively
woman of vision, strong beliefs and of an inquisitive mind. She was
intensely interested in politics and was a strong supporter of the
Democratic Party. 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 addition to her
husband of sixty-eight years she is survived by daughter, Patricia
F. Robert of Essex; two granddaughters, Laura H. Robert of Essex,
Audrey Robert-Ramirez and her husband Axel of Malden; a great
granddaughter, Camille Piper Ramirez and a niece Priscilla Koster
and her husband Walter. Her beloved son, Jonathan M. Piper,
predeceased her in 2008. She was the sister of the late Irene
Smerage, Mary Roberts and Edmund Woleyko.
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 and,
or, Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, 636 Morris Turnpike, Suite
3A Short Hills, NJ 07078. Private arrangements are under the
direction of the Whittier-Porter Funeral Home of Ipswich.
