Eleanor Marie Fenwick Ripple

Eleanor Marie Fenwick Ripple, 87, of Mechanicsville, MD, peacefully passed away from the earth on March 8, 2025, at her home in Mechanicsville. She was born on February 2,1938, in Leonardtown, MD, to Charles Edward Fenwick, and Anna LaVerne Miller Fenwick. She was married to Ammon Syril Ripple at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Leonardtown MD on January 2, 1971. She is survived by her brother, Charles Edward Fenwick Jr. (Dorothy), her husband, Ammon, her four sons; Ammon Ripple Jr., Frank Ripple (Cheryl), Lewis Ripple (Amber), and Joseph Ripple, her six grandchildren; Amanda Lundquist (Austin), Clark Ripple (Katie), James Ripple, John Ripple, Vivian Ripple, and Waverly Ripple, and her four great-grandchildren; Abigail Ripple, Colton Ripple, Halle Ripple, and Cade Lundquist. Eleanor was preceded in death by her parents, and great-granddaughter, Laney Elizabeth Ripple. Eleanor graduated from St. Mary’s Academy in 1955, she received a Bachelor of Science degree from Towson State Teacher’s College in 1959, and began her career the same year, teaching second grade at Town Creek Elementary School the first year it opened. She taught there for several years and then attended Florida State University where she received a master’s degree in library science in 1964. She became the librarian at Berkshire Elementary School in Baltimore County the following school year. After one year at Berkshire, she was invited by the St. Mary’s County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Robert King, to come back to St. Mary’s County and establish libraries in all the elementary schools there. She went back to Florida State and received an advanced master’s degree in library science in 1969. Then she returned to St. Mary’s County and became the Library Media Supervisor and retired from that position in 1984. After her retirement from St. Mary’s County Bd of Education, she taught full-time at Holy Angels Parochial School for several more years, then became a volunteer part-time librarian there until 1994. Eleanor was a devout Catholic all her life. She was Baptized, confirmed, and married at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Leonardtown MD. She taught CCD there for years. She moved to the 7th District after she was married and belonged to Holy Angels Parish in Avenue, MD from 1971 to 1994, when she moved to Conyers GA. In 1995 she entered formation in the Discalced Carmelite Secular Order in Conyers and made her final promise in 2001. She transferred her membership to the Carmel at Port Tobacco when she moved back to Maryland in 2003. She was also an associate member of the Apostolic Movement of Schoenstatt, a Catholic lay Marian Movement that strives to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ through the example and guidance of Mary, the Mother of God. She became a member of St. John Francis Regis Parish in Hollywood MD in 2003 and remained there for the rest of her life. She actively supported her husband, Ammon, through his diaconate formation and after his ordination. The family will receive friends on Monday, March 24, 2025, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. The Knights of Columbus will lead the Rosary beginning at 6:40 pm, followed by prayers at 7:00 pm at Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown MD. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 am on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, Leonardtown, MD with Fr. Raymond Schmidt officiating. Interment will follow at Queen of Peace Cemetery, Helen, MD. Serving as pallbearers will be, Amos Ripple, Frank Ripple, Lewis Ripple, Joseph Ripple, Clark Ripple, and James Ripple. Honorary pallbearers will be, John Ripple, David Walkenhorst, Charles Fenwick III, Bonnie Fenwick, Kevin Ripple, and Steven Gladu. (Donations may be made to St. John’s Charitable Society, St. John Francis Regis Parish, Hollywood MD.)