Mary Eileen Piper

Mary Eileen Piper

Mary Eileen Piper, age 85, of Mill Hall, entered her eternal home with her family by her side on Saturday, March 22, at her residence after a several year journey with Parkinson’s disease. Mary always maintained her positive outlook and strength, her love for animals and her family, and her quick wit.

Mary was born on July 6, 1939, in Alton, Ill. to Donald and Marie Cunningham. She was later joined by a younger sister Marcia. Mary attended high school in Short Hills, New Jersey and graduated from Millburn High School. Early in her life, Mary developed a love for horses and dogs. Her summers were spent in Illinois at the farm of her aunt and uncle, Claude and Mable Craver, where she learned to ride. Mary was a natural horsewoman. Her passion for horses and animals would remain with her for the rest of her life.

After high school, Mary wanted to attend vet school but at that time women were not accepted. She entered Lyons Institute in New Jersey where she studied medical technology.

In 1960, she married Dr. Robert H. Reese. After they married, Bob and Mary moved to Lock Haven and started a veterinary practice. Mary assisted her husband in the practice as a vet tech for 18 years. Bob and Mary had three children together, Debbie, Nancy and Bobby.

With a fearless spirit and fierce intelligence, Mary excelled at any challenge she took on. In her early thirties, she became fascinated with airplanes and began taking flying lessons. Mary became an accomplished pilot. She held her private, instrument and commercial certifications and was a certified instrument flight instructor (CFII). For many years, Mary worked as a flight instructor in Lock Haven and Salina, Kan.

Mary’s proudest moments in life were teaching her son how to fly and teaching her daughters to ride and work with horses.

In the 1980’s Mary owned and operated Piper Arabians, an Arabian horse breeding farm in Culver, Kan. She completed certifications in equine reproduction at Colorado State University in 1984 and 1994. After spending time living in both Culver, Kan. and Vero Beach, Fla., Mary returned to Lock Haven where she continued to operate Piper Arabians, worked as a real estate agent and created custom milestone DVDs with Mary Piper Presentations.

More than anything, Mary loved spending time with her family. Her children and grandchildren were the love and pride of her life. Holidays and family gatherings were some of her happiest moments.

Mary will be remembered for her love for life, her sense of adventure, and her indomitable spirit. She was never afraid to take on a new challenge or to pursue the things that brought her joy. Her family takes comfort in knowing that she now rests in eternal peace with her savior Jesus Christ and is reunited with the many animals she loved and cared for during her full and beautiful life.

Mary is survived by her children Debbie Reese, Nancy (Kevin) Johnson and Bob (Jacquie) Reese, and a stepdaughter Avery (Billy) Craig. Ten grandchildren, Elizabeth Arnold Ulmer (Seth), Brett Arnold (Kelsey Harkness), Laura Arnold (Ryan Kalbach), Brady Reese, Chad Reese, Erin Reese, Tara (Cole) Phillips, Megan Reese (Jacob Borowicz), Seth Reese and Jeremy Reese; seven step-grandchildren and four great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, Donald and Marie Cunningham.

The family wishes to extend their deepest gratitude to Mary’s compassionate team of caregivers who so lovingly walked beside her through the last few years.

A memorial service to celebrate Mary’s incredible life and her heavenly homecoming will be held at Grace Fellowship Church, 19 West Ridge Street in Avis, PA 17721 on Thursday, March 27 at 11 a.m. with Pastor Drew Collins officiating. Family and friends will be received at the church at 10 a.m. Gedon Funeral Homes will be handling the funeral arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, gifts or donations in memory of Mary may be made to the Clinton County SPCA, 33 Mill Hill Road, Lock Haven, PA 17745; the Arabian Horse Rescue Mission at arabianhorserescueedu.org; or the Piper Aviation Museum, 1 Piper Way, Lock Haven, PA, 17745.

Online thoughts and memories can be made at the Gedon Funeral Home Facebook Page or www.GedonFuneralHomes.com