Jane C. (Harty) Ripa

STERLING —Jane C. (Harty) Ripa, 86, passed away peacefully under the loving care of her family and the dedicated and caring staff at the Christopher House of Worcester on Wednesday, January 3, 2018. Born and raised in Bellows Falls, Vermont, Jane was the daughter of Daniel P. And Elizabeth J. (O’Brien) Harty and lived 50 years in Sterling.
Jane graduated from Bellows Falls High School in Vermont and Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in Springfield. While in nursing school, Jane met the love of her life, Donald V. Ripa of Northampton, Massachusetts. They married in 1954 and moved to Sterling where they embraced their new community and raised their four children. She was a stay-at-home mom for many years, returning to nursing in 1971. She spent the following 30 years caring for patients as a registered nurse in the surgical department at Holden District Hospital and later Clinton Hospital retiring at the age of 70. After her retirement, she volunteered her services at Clinton Hospital as a patient advocate.
Jane’s life was centered on family and faith. She enjoyed spending time with her family and is fondly remembered for the mittens, hats and sweaters she lovingly knitted for her children and grandchildren. She was a founding member of St. Richard of Chichester Church in Sterling, a longtime member of its Women’s Guild, and a volunteer at many church events including the annual Apple Fiesta, for which she made and donated many knitted items. She enjoyed reading, puzzles, and listening to music, particularly the “old standards.”
Jane leaves an indelible mark of heartfelt compassion on the lives that she touched throughout the years. She will be remembered for her kind and nurturing nature and willingness to help others in need.
Her beloved husband of 51years, Donald V. Ripa died in 2006. Jane will be lovingly missed and remembered by her two sons, Charles “Chuck” V. Ripa, Sr and his wife, Alison of Sterling and Daniel P. Ripa of Sterling; two daughters, Donna J. McCullen of Lancaster and Maria A. Gove and her husband, Robert of Gardner; two sisters, Maria K. Baldasaro and her husband, William of North Walpole, NH and Ann E. Harty of Gardner; 11 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and two nieces. Besides her husband Jane is predeceased by her brother, John P. Harty.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 am on Wednesday, January 10, at St. Richard of Chichester Church, 4 Bridge St., Sterling. Interment will be private in the spring at Hillside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Richard of Chichester Church, P.O. Box 657, Sterling, MA 01564, or the Christopher House of Worcester, Activities Fund, 10 Mary Scano Dr., Worcester, MA 01605. Funeral arrangements are under the care and direction of Miles-Sterling Funeral and Tribute Center, 100 Worcester St., Sterling. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit our "Guest Book" on this page.


Jane graduated from Bellows Falls High School in Vermont and Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in Springfield. While in nursing school, Jane met the love of her life, Donald V. Ripa of Northampton, Massachusetts. They married in 1954 and moved to Sterling where they embraced their new community and raised their four children. She was a stay-at-home mom for many years, returning to nursing in 1971. She spent the following 30 years caring for patients as a registered nurse in the surgical department at Holden District Hospital and later Clinton Hospital retiring at the age of 70. After her retirement, she volunteered her services at Clinton Hospital as a patient advocate. Jane’s life was centered on family and faith. She enjoyed spending time with her family and is fondly remembered for the mittens, hats and sweaters she lovingly knitted for her children and grandchildren. She was a founding member of St. Richard of Chichester Church in Sterling, a longtime member of its Women’s Guild, and a volunteer at many church events including the annual Apple Fiesta, for which she made and donated many knitted items. She enjoyed reading, puzzles, and listening to music, particularly the “old standards.” Jane leaves an indelible mark of heartfelt compassion on the lives that she touched throughout the years. She will be remembered for her kind and nurturing nature and willingness to help others in need.    Her beloved husband of 51years, Donald V. Ripa died in 2006. Jane will be lovingly missed and remembered by her two sons, Charles “Chuck” V. Ripa, Sr and his wife, Alison of Sterling and Daniel P. Ripa of Sterling; two daughters, Donna J. McCullen of Lancaster and Maria A. Gove and her husband, Robert of Gardner; two sisters, Maria K. Baldasaro and her husband, William of North Walpole, NH and Ann E. Harty of Gardner; 11 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and two nieces. Besides her husband Jane is predeceased by her brother, John P. Harty.