Marla Eugenia Lipinski

Marla Eugenia (Noplis) Lipinski, 60, passed away on Monday, August 20th, 2018 at her home in Magnolia, Texas. Marla (Sissy) was born on July 21st, 1958 in Hazard, Kentucky at Mount Mary Hospital to Kelly S. Noplis and Gladys (Salyers) Noplis. She joined big brother, Russell Noplis. Marla spent the first 8 years of her life living in Hazard, surrounded by many cousins, aunts, uncles and her beloved grandparents. She had an especially close relationship with her Granny, spending every summer until she was 18 with her. When Marla was 8 years old, their family of 4 moved to Baltimore, Maryland, here she grew up in the suburb of Essex. At the age of 19, after graduating with her nursing degree, Marla began working at a local Nursing Home. Here she met a young care aide, Jim. 3 months later they were wed in Essex. After 2 years, Jim enlisted in the US Navy and she and Marla headed off on their first of many military adventures to Camp Pendleton, California. On Jim’s first day serving as a Navy Corpsman with the US Marines, Marla gave birth to her and Jim’s first child, Kelly Irene. Marla embraced the duties as a young mother and military wife. She endured long deployments while maintaining their home and family in California. After California, Jim and Marla returned to Baltimore so that Jim could pursue his medical degree while Marla continued working to support their young family. 5 years after the birth of daughter, Kelly, their 2nd child, Amy Alexandra was born. In 1988, Marla and her family moved to Wichita, Kansas. Marla always found the good in the people and places she went. Always making friends and embracing local culture. The military adventures continued in 1991 when the family was transferred to a base outside of North Pole, Alaska. From here they traveled back to the East Coast for a short stint on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. After being raised in the big city of Baltimore, Marla and Jim decided a small town with a population of less than 3,000 was just right for them! Marla and Jim found a peace in the beauty and bountifulness of Alaska and returned to settle in Seward, Alaska in 1995. Here they embraced the Alaskan lifestyle; hunting, fishing, gardening, preserving foods, hiking and camping. Seward became an indelible part of Marla’s life. Here they raised their children and saw 5 of their 7 Grandchildren born. Marla made lifelong friendships in this community. It is here the family has their happiest memories of Marla doing what she loved to do best; love and care for the ones she loved the most. Marla was always a welcoming hostess to friends and family alike. She prided herself on her cooking skills and loved entertaining. True to her nature, Marla was also a welcoming hostess to a small zoo of animals that included chickens, ducks, dogs, cats, a guinea pig, ferrets (and a goose!). When Jim transferred from Active Duty to the Reserves, he began a career in the oil industry that required him to work 2 weeks on/2 weeks off. While Jim was away, Marla managed their home and family. She did everything from mowing their property, caring for the animals, raising the kids and grandkids to snowplowing after those Alaskan winter storms. In between all of this, Marla worked part-time as a Nurse at the local hospital. And in the later years of Seward life, Marla welcomed her parents into her home and nursed them until their deaths in 2001 and 2003. Marla loved to vacation and she and Jim made trips a priority in their life together. Marla took a lifetime of trips and then some in her 60 years. So many wonderful memories were made with friends and family on cruises, beach vacations, road trips and other adventures! After sending their girls off to college, Marla and Jim decided to downsize their home and moved to Anchorage to pursue their careers and enjoy the amenities the city has to offer. Here they embraced the city’s culture with shows, the symphony, museums, restaurants, etc. In 2013, Jim’s job took them yet again on a new adventure, this time to Houston, Texas! Here in Houston, Marla and Jim reconnected with old friends and made new ones, too. They took advantage of the proximity to family in Louisiana, Texas, Kentucky and Maryland and enjoyed road trips and weekend adventures. They continued these adventures until it was no longer physically possible for Marla. Marla’s greatest joys in life were her 7 grandchildren. They always remained in the forefront of her thoughts and love. Marla talked about her grandchildren to any and all that would listen. She loved being with them, talking to them on the phone and spoiling them. Marla will be remembered for her commitment to family, her love and kindness towards all, her affection for animals and her love of God. Marla is preceded in death by her parents, Kelly S. Noplis & Gladys S. Noplis, her father-in-law, Henry Lipinski Sr. and brother-in-law, Robert Lipinski. She is survived by her loving husband of 40 years, James E. Lipinski, daughters Kelly I. Lipinski and Amy A. Murphy and her husband Luke Murphy and her 7 beloved grandchildren (the lights of Marla’s life). Memorial contributions in Marla’s name, in honor of her beloved brother-in-law, Robert Lipinski, may be made to National Down Syndrome Society at www.ndss.org or by calling 800-221-4602.

Marla Eugenia Lipinski

July 21, 1958 - August 20, 2018