Mabel 'Mae' Rahe Rippons

CAMBRIDGE - Mabel "Mae" Rahe Rippons, a devoted mother, grandmother and friend, passed away early Thursday morning, April 30, 2009, at Chesapeake Woods Center, Cambridge, after a short illness. Born on June 22, 1923, in New York City, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Anna Rowley Zacpal. Mae spent most of her youth in Pallisades Park, N.J. She was a graduate of Leonia High School, Class of 1941, and then attended Katherine Gibbs Business School. On March 5, 1944 she married John C. Rahe. In 1946 they moved to Cambridge. Mr. Rahe was a local radio announcer and died in 1973. In 1986, Mae married Chandus "Chan" Thomas Rippons, Sr. of Hoopersville and owner of Rippons Brothers Seafood. Mr. Rippons died on Aug. 10, 1996. Upon his death Mae returned to Cambridge. Mrs. Rippons retired in 1987 having worked for twenty one years with the Dorchester County Planning and Zoning Commission as an assistant planner. Mrs. Rippons was a member of the Hooper's Memorial United Methodist Church, the Cambridge Yacht Club where she had also been active in the Shipmates, past secretary of the American Cancer Society, American Legion Ladies Auxiliary, AARP, and Dorchester General Hospital Auxiliary where she volunteered faithfully at the hospital gift shop. Mrs. Rippons was an avid bridge player. Mrs. Rippons was a generous supporter of various organizations and charities. Surviving are two sons and their spouses, Danny and Donna Rahe, Terry and Rosemary Rahe, all of East New Market; a daughter and her spouse, Evelyn Rahe Renkwitz and Art Renkwitz of Cambridge; seven grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and numerous friends. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Sunday, May 3, at Curran-Bromwell Funeral Home, P.A., where the family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Burial will be held privately on Monday at East New Market Cemetery. Memorial offerings may be made in Mrs. Rippons memory to the American Cancer Society, c/o Mrs. Doris Weber, 5163 Maple Dam Rd., Cambridge, MD 21613; or to the Dorchester General Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 439, Cambridge, MD 21613. To send letters of condolences, please visit www.curran-bromwell.com/obituaries.