Margaret “Bootsie” Waters Sipple of Bridgeville passed away on Sunday, June 2, 2024 at Lofland Park Center in Seaford after a recent illness. She was born Nov. 24, 1932, in Morganton, N.C., the daughter of the late Julius Arthur and Gertrude Nenneman Waters.
Margaret moved to Delaware in 1955. She met her husband of 54 years, Ronald Sipple, while working at the E.I. DuPont Company in Seaford. She also worked as a bus driver for many years including 16 years with the Delaware Authority for Specialized Transportation. She always had a smile and words of comfort and encouragement for everyone who rode her bus.
Margaret served her beloved community of Bridgeville for many years. She was the past President of the Bridgeville Volunteer Fire Company Auxiliary and a member for over 65 years. She was a long-time member of Union Methodist Church and served in many roles including Sunday School teacher and Trustee. Margaret was the first woman elected to the Bridgeville Town Commission and was reelected several times over 14 years. She was the advocate for the Bridgeville Library dedicated in July 2009. Always having a green thumb, she kept a beautiful yard and maintained the flowers around town hall for many years.
Margaret was predeceased by her husband; sisters Marie Hastings (William), Faye Arrowood (James), and Helen Wakefield (William); brothers Eugene Waters (Pauline), Harry Waters (Evelyn) and Albert Waters; sister-in-law Shirley Hairgrove (Richard); brothers-in-law Donald Sipple (Izetta) and Larry Sipple; and son-in-law Michael Patterson.
She is survived by her daughter Becky Patterson; son Michael Sipple (Patricia); granddaughters Stacey Patterson, Angela James (Robert), Kelly Edwards (Phillip), and Lauren Sipple (Ian Harvey); great grandchildren Drake, Bailey, Hawk, Owen and Emma; brothers-in-law William Sipple (Joyce); and sisters-in-law Janet Morgan and Connie Sipple.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 8 at 11 a.m. at Union Methodist Church, 2 N Laws Street, in Bridgeville where friends may visit from 10-11 a.m. The burial will be in Bridgeville Cemetery, 2 N Laws St. in Bridgeville.
In lieu of flowers contributions are suggested to the Bridgeville Volunteer Fire Company, PO Box 727, Bridgeville, DE 19933 or Union Methodist Church.
Please visit Mrs. Sipple’s Life Memorial at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com.