Mary (Stypinski) Riker

   Mary Stypinski Riker of Burlington Twp., NJ, passed away peacefully on June 16, 2023 following a brief illness.

    Our amazing "Mom", "Gram", "Mare", "Aunt Mary" was born on December 6, 1920. Yes, 1920! Mary had lived an incredible life for 102 years and she was very proud of that fact. 

    Vibrant, energetic, and feisty up until three weeks before her passing, she took great pleasure in revealing her age because she loved to hear the consistent reply, "You are not! ", I don't believe that!".

    Mary was the 6th of 9 children born to Bernice and Joseph Stypinski of Riverside, NJ. She often spoke of happy memories growing up in a large, active family. A self proclaimed tomboy, she attributed her athletic skills and love of sports to her brothers who were her constant companions and sidekicks in her youth. She told tales of wonderful after school hours and summers spent playing baseball, basketball, football and of swimming and ice skating jaunts at nearby Olympia Lake.

    On February 22, 1945, Mary married William Riker. Bill and Mary went on to have a loving, busy, full life together, with all the joys and challenges a life well lived offered. The couple enjoyed 61 years of married life and were blessed with 1 daughter, 2 grandsons, and 3 great grandchildren.

    Early on, Mary was a devoted homemaker who loved cooking for her family, gardening, sewing, and in December baking enormous amounts of Christmas cookies to the delight of family and friends. She was a devout Catholic, an active member of All Saints School and Parish, serving on the boards of the PTA and Altar Rosary Society. In her 70's, Mary worked as a caregiver in the School Age Child Care Program at the Elias Boudinot and Samuel Smith Elementary Schools in Burlington, "Miss Mary" was a compassionate guide and mentor for the elementary students. She treated them with warmth and affection, and she received their love and respect in return. She also treasured the camaraderie formed with coworkers, who would become good friends.

    Later in life, her interests turned to reading, crossword puzzles, and the challenges and frustrations of the

1000 piece jigsaw puzzles which she said improved her concentration and memory. She was spot on, her cognitive skills were still exceptional at 102. She loved watching and rooting for her Philadelphia Phillies, especially when they won! Mary was a fierce competitor and could be heard cheering at the tv one minute and jeering the next. She was a lifelong sun worshipper who loved to "bake' on the beach, and when "overdone" dip her toes in the warm waters of the Gulf and search for treasures in the soft sands along the shore.

    Mary was an inspiration to many and a friend to all. She had a passion for people and they enjoyed her pleasant nature, her contagious smile, and her exceptional sense of humor. Family meant the world to Mom and her love was cherished and returned by all of us. We will miss her loving kindness, her wise council, and her fierce independence. Life will not be the same without our "Mare".

    She will be sorely missed by daughter Barbara and son-in-law Bob of Burlington Twp., NJ and Bonita Springs, Fla., grandsons Randall (Stephanie) Kaupas of Cherry Hill, NJ and Rhawn (Kristyn) Kaupas of Reading, Mass., great grandchildren Bobby, Will, and Katie Kaupas. Mary is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews who showed their love throughout the years with pop-in visits, and/or phone calls, emails, and texts across the miles.

    Mary was predeceased by her parents, husband, sisters: Hedwig Olesiewicz and Veronica Olsen, and brothers; Joseph, John, Jerome, Louis, Felix, and Walter Stypinski.

    Mass of the Christian Burial will be held on June 29, 2023 at 10:30 AM at All Saints Church, 502 High Street, Burlington, NJ.

    Our family would like to thank Samaritan Hospice for the dedicated care and support provided over the past few weeks.

    In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Parish of St. Katharine Drexel, 223 E. Union St., Burlington, NJ

08016 or Samaritan Hospice, PO Box 71425, Philadelphia, Pa. 19176.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mary (Stypinski) Riker, please visit our floral store.