Maria Chepigan

Maria S. Chepigan, of Collingswood, NJ, formerly of Mount Laurel, NJ and Philadelphia, PA, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 9, 2015, at her home at Collingswood Manor, of natural causes at the age of 93. She is survived by her daughter Carla Branyan (Norman), son Randy Chepigan (Cindy Graham), grandchildren Christina Rose (Eric), Veronica Chepigan and Sabrina Chepigan, and great-grandchildren David Rose and Noah Branyan. Mrs. Chepigan was preceded in death by her husband Ralph W. Chepigan in 1984, her sister Betty S. Colbert in 2008, and her grandson Robert C. Branyan in 2014. Mrs. Chepigan, born Maria Zenia Schneider on January 30, 1921 in Philadelphia, to Valborg P. and Harry A. Schneider, Jr., began a singing career as a child. From the 1930’s through the 1970’s, she earned well-deserved acclaim as a soprano soloist, in numerous local radio and television performances, and in several Philadelphia-area churches, including Frankford Congregational Church and the Presbyterian Church of Frankford, both in Northeast Philadelphia, and the First Presbyterian Church of Moorestown, NJ. A 1938 graduate of Frankford High School, she married Ralph W. Chepigan in 1940. During his service in World War II, she worked as a bookkeeper at Rohm and Haas Company in Philadelphia. Their daughter Carla was born in 1946, and their son Randy in 1960. While maintaining her singing career and raising the two children, Mr. and Mrs. Chepigan together established and managed the Northeast Institute of Office Training, a successful business school and employment agency in Philadelphia, from 1949 until 1966. In her later years, Mrs. Chepigan enjoyed extensive traveling, attending musical performances and spending time with her family and friends. She was also an avid bridge player and was active in many church and community organizations. Services will be held on Sunday, January 18, 2015 at Saint Andrew’s United Methodist Church, 327 Marlton Pike West (NJ Route 70) in Cherry Hill, NJ, with visitation beginning at 1:00PM and a memorial service beginning at 1:30PM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the United Methodist Homes Foundation Fellowship Fund, c/o Collingswood Manor, 460 Haddon Avenue, Collingswood, NJ 08108, www.umhfoundation.org; or to Saint Andrew’s United Methodist Church, 327 Marlton Pike West, Cherry Hill, NJ 08002; or to the charity of your choice. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Inglesby & Sons Pennsauken. Online condolences may be sent to the family via www.inglesbyfuneralhome.com.

Maria Chepigan

January 30, 1921 - January 9, 2015