Barbara Jean Hipwell, 88

Barbara Jean Hipwell, 88, of Hendersonville, died Monday, June 3, 2019 at the Elizabeth House.

Barbara was born in Floral Park, NY on June 19, 1930 to the late Luigi and Louise Pizzuto. She lived most of her life in Western New York in the Buffalo and Finger Lake Region. A graduate of Kenmore Senior High School, Barbara married the late Donald Hipwell and raised her two daughters with such love that they followed her to North Carolina. She is also preceded in death by her partner of 43 years, Jere Allen Johnson who died in 2016.

In 2006 after her oldest daughter Constance relocated to Mills River, they opened up The Conn-Artist Studio at Main & 5th Avenue above McCarter Gallery.
The next year they relocated to Atha Plaza where Publix is currently. Until 2015 Barbara was the featured artist along with her daughter. They offered Art Shows, Art Instruction & the legendary Open Studio where many local artists learned to become better painters in their warm & inspiring studio-Gallery.
Barbara had previously sold literally hundreds of paintings mostly from Harvest Mill Antique Shop in Canandaigua, NY.

Barbara first started art study with her father, Lewis who taught her the fundamentals of drawing. He provided her with invaluable lessons from Sylvia Sheridan of Orchard Park, NY.

Upon moving to NC, Barbara immediately joined the Art League of Henderson County and was named the 2007 Artist of the Year for her painting, “Under the Apple Tree.” Having artists as friends and enjoying studio time at least three days a week was a wonderful time in her life.

Barbara is survived by two loving daughters, Constance Hipwell Vlahoulis of New Baltimore, Michigan, and Catherine Ann Hipwell and her wonderful wife, Sandra Lively of Leicester, NC; son-in-law, William Vlahoulis of Mills River; a beloved brother, Alan B. Pizzuto and his wife Sandy; beloved nephews, David and Steven Pizzuto; two grandchildren, M. Cristopher Cercone and his wife Susy and David Alan Cercone and his wife Carrie all of Michigan; three great-grandchildren, Isabella Yue, Amelia Constance who was born on Barbara’s 85th birthday, and David Michael Cercone.

Her grandsons were the apple of her eye and they enjoyed countless summers together boating, fishing, and swimming at Gramma Barbs & Grandpa Jere’s in upstate New York.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00 P.M. on Wednesday, July 17, 2019 St. James Episcopal Church with Rev. Christie Olson officiating.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that contributions be made in Barbara’s name to Elizabeth House, 581 S. Allen Road, Flat Rock, NC 28731. Barbara’s family wishes to thank the entire staff at Elizabeth House especially CNA Michelle and the incredible loving nurses and doctors.

An online register book is available for family and friends by visiting www.thosshepherd.com. Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors and Cremation Memorial Center is in charge of arrangements.

Copyright 2019 Thos. Shepherd & Son All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of the authors.

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Kenneth Lee Henson, 62

Kenneth Lee Henson, 62, of Zirconia, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, May 18, 2019. He was the son of the late Richard Lee Henson and Lola Gordon Henson.

He served in the U.S. Army and enjoyed fishing and Nascar.

Kenneth is survived by his son, Jessie Henson; a granddaughter, Emma; brother, Chuck Henson and his wife Carol; a nephew, Matthew Henson and his wife Amber; a niece, Amanda Baker and her husband Jason and their children.

An online register book is available for family and friends by visiting www.thosshepherd.com. Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors and Cremation Memorial Center is in charge of arrangements.

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Laurel Mae Voigt, 76

Laurel Mae Voigt, 76, of Hendersonville passed away peacefully on Monday, May 20, 2019 at her home. She was born in Bronx, NY on September 5, 1942, a daughter of the late Grandine and Estelle Robinson. She was also preceded in death by her only sister, Elaine Shubin.

She graduated from Trenton State College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. She spent most of her life in New Jersey until she and her husband, Peter relocated to Hendersonville in 1992.

She loved her family and cherished not only the time she spent with her children and grandchildren, but the memories they created. She enjoyed traveling, dining out, and finding a bargain while shopping. She enjoyed every aspect of music, from singing hymns to attending musical productions. She had a special gift of always putting others before herself, and was kind to everyone she met. She loved the Lord and felt secure in knowing that she will be going to her heavenly home. We will miss her dearly and she will be forever in our hearts.

She is survived by her husband of 50 years, Peter Herman Voigt; two daughters: Jennifer Tracy and her husband Matt of Hendersonville; and Candice Houlihan and her husband James of Mills River; and one son, Eric Voigt and his wife Julie of Montgomery, AL. She is also survived by seven grandchildren that she adored: Noelle, Walker, Willow, Annie, Jacob, Emma, Bennett; one brother, Donald Robinson of Melbourne, FL; as well as many nieces and nephews.

The family celebrated her life with a private ceremony on Thursday, May 23, 2019 at Thos. Shepherd and Son Funeral Directors.

In lieu of flowers, her family requests that donations in Laurel’s memory be directed to the American Stroke Association, 128 South Tryon Street, Suite # 1588, Charlotte, NC, 28202.

An online register book is available for family and friends by visiting www.thosshepherd.com. Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors and Cremation Memorial Center is in charge of the arrangements.

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Marie Ellen Schroer, 86

Marie Ellen Schroer, 86, passed away peacefully at Sunnybrook Assisted Living on Sunday, May 5, 2019 after an extended illness. She was born on February 13, 1933, a native of Brooklyn, New York, the daughter of the late Otto and Mary Amsen Hoegger of New York. Along with her parents, she was also preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Paul Phillip Schroer, who died on June 13, 2006; as well as a sister, Gloria Jean Hoegger.

She graduated from Charlotte Valley High School in Davenport, NY in 1950. She worked for many years as a librarian in General Electric facilities as her husband, an accountant for that firm, traveled around the country. She was affiliated with the Grace Lutheran Church in Hendersonville. She loved flowers and gardening and was an expert seamstress who made her own as well as her family’s clothing. In later years, she loved to play Mah Jongg.

She is survived by two daughters: Cathy Bauer and her husband Ray of Woodbine, KY and Jeanne Smalley and her husband Don of Shelton, CT; seven grandchildren; four great grandchildren; one brother, Otto “Buzzy” Hoegger of Hendersonville; one sister, Judy Van Buren of Rapid City, SD; nieces, nephews and other relatives. She cherished numerous friends: Kathy Ziobrowski of Averill Park, NY, Ann Fritsch of Milford, OH, Helen Kelly of Advance, NC, Dorothy Schneider of Hendersonville, Vivian Bolanos and daughters, Camila and Isabella of Hendersonville as well as many others.

The gentle care and concern for Marie during her stay Sunnybrook Assisted Living as well as the care from Four Season’s Hospice was greatly appreciated. The friendship, love and care giving that Diana Bagwell and her husband Morris gave to Maria contributed greatly to her quality of life.

The memorial service was private.

Memorials may be made to Four Season’s Hospice, 571 South Allen Road, Flat Rock, NC, 28731 or The Muscular Dystrophy Association, or a charity of your choice.

An online register book is available for family and friends by visiting www.thosshepherd.com. Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors and Cremation Memorial Center is in charge of arrangements.

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