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Mary Kathryn “Mary Kay” Kippenberger, 89, of Peachtree City, GA, died peacefully on Friday, November 28, 2025, at home with her family by her side. She was a beloved mother, grandmother “Mimi”, sister-in-law, aunt, great aunt, cousin and friend to many.
She was a lifelong member of the Catholic Church and an active parishioner at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Peachtree City where she was a member of several parish ministries, including St. Vincent De Paul and the Senior Ministry.
She was born October 29, 1936, in North Little Rock, Arkansas, the only child of Billy and Katie McDermott. She attended St. Patrick’s Grade School in North Little Rock, high school at Mount St. Mary Academy in Little Rock, and a earned a degree in sociology from Webster College in St. Louis, Missouri. Following college graduation, she taught fourth grade at St. Joan of Arc, in St. Louis.
After meeting Thomas “Tom” P. Kippenberger on a blind date in college, their love story blossomed. They married on October14, 1961, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in North Little Rock. Together they shared forty-three wonderful years, moved across six states, and even several years in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia where Tom was employed by General Motors.
They found a permanent home in Peachtree City, GA after Tom’s retirement in 1997. Mary Kay was a devoted celebrant of St. Patrick’s Day and, understandably, was a passionate fan of the University of Notre Dame football team. Having learned to play bridge in college, she played as recently as two weeks ago. She loved traveling, especially when reuniting with family and friends.
Her vibrant spirit, remarkable perseverance in the face of challenges, and genuine enjoyment of connecting with others, left a lasting impact on everyone she met. She will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing her.
Preceded in death in October 2004 by her husband Tom, she is survived by her three children: daughter, Sharon “Sherry” Kippenberger, of Harrison City, PA; son, Thomas “Tom” Kippenberger and his wife Sheryl, of Nashville, TN, and son, John Kippenberger and his wife Susan, of Woodstock, GA; and three grandchildren, Allyse “Ally” Kippenberger, of Nashville, TN, and Katherine “Katie” Kippenberger, of Apex, NC, and Jack Kippenberger, of Woodstock, GA.
The St. Vincent De Paul Ministry will host a rosary on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at 11:00 AM, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 AM. Private burial will be at Westminster Memorial Gardens, Peachtree City, GA. Memorial contributions may be given to: St. Vincent De Paul Ministry Holy Trinity Church 101 Walt Banks Rd Peachtree City, GA 30269 Or The Discalced Carmelite Nuns 7201 W. 32nd St Little Rock, AR 72204.
We welcome you to leave your condolences, thoughts, and memories of Mary Kay on our Tribute Wall. Mowell Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Fayetteville, www.mowells.com
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