Alexandra Passios Ripperton

Alexandra Passios Ripperton passed away on May 5th at N.C. Memorial Hospital in Chapel Hill. She was 86 years old.

Alex was born in Fitchburg, Mass., the daughter of Greek immigrants Constantine and Constantina Passios. The second of six children, she became a registered nurse, and was later commissioned in the Army Air Corps where she met her future husband, Lyman A. Ripperton II. She moved to Chapel Hill in 1957 when her husband joined the faculty of the Department of Environmental Engineering in the School of Public Health. She worked as a nurse in the Employee and Student Health Departments at N.C. Memorial Hospital until her retirement.

Alex was a gentle, quiet person, full of love for her family, and all that was beautiful in the world. She was a juried member of the Triangle Weavers Guild, and consistently earned awards and accolades for her weavings. The shawls, and scarves, and baby blankets she crafted from silk and linen became favorite gifts for her friends and family. Her other hobbies included gardening and knitting, as well as raising dachshunds and corgis.

Preceding her in death were her husband, Dr. Lyman A. Ripperton II, her eldest son, Lyman A. Ripperton III, and two of her siblings, Thomas and Olga Passios.

She is survived by her adoring family: sisters Athena Grant, Dorothea Markarian, Anne Ashare, and their families; and family members Melanie & Russell Chapman, Christopher & Soni Chapman, Joya Chapman, Timothy Chapman, David Ripperton & Candy Holtzman, Keith & Stephanie Ripperton, Dana Ripperton, Sean & Martha Ripperton, Matt & Sarah Ripperton, Ryan & Danielle Ripperton, Gloria Ripperton, Cheryl Rettie, Lisa A. Ripperton, Lisa M. Ripperton, Nathan Ripperton, Daniel Ripperton, Rebecca Ripperton, and her constant companion, Bandit.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her name to the charity of your choice. A private ceremony will be held for family and friends on May 13th.