Philomena Michael 'Mike' Piper

Mike was the wife of the late Keith Piper, Head Football Coach at Denison University from 1954-1992. She was loyal to Denison football, even after her husband's passing. She missed attending only two games in Keith Piper's entire 39-year career.

She was the daughter of Louis CdeBaca (Lt. Governor of New Mexico from 1934-36) and Mary Fernandez.

Survived by one beloved sister, Theresa Larson, of Denver, Colorado, and many nieces and nephews; her five children; Karen Fleming (Kenneth); Bruce Piper (Richele); David Piper (Susan); James Piper (Kathy); and Bill Piper (Amy), and fifteen grandchildren; David Fleming and Michael Fleming; Benjamin Piper, Ellen Piper, Matthew Piper and Daniel Piper; Katie Piper and Zane Piper; Lauren Piper, Morgan Piper and Teghan Piper; John Piper, Nick Piper, Keith Piper and Suzanne Piper.

Mike is also survived by her Newfoundland dog, Bonnie Blue.

Preceded in death by her husband, Keith; sisters Filomena, Corina, Marie, Estella and Ruth; brothers Arthur, Louis, and Frank; and one grandson, Kenny Fleming.

Mike graduated summa cum laude in 1984 from Denison University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Gerontology, an individually designed major. She subsequently received a Masters degree in Social Work from The Ohio State University.

She was an active board member of Moundbuilders Guidance Center; a former board member of The Carol Strawn Center; a member of P.E.O.; a member of TWIG 6 of the Licking County Hospital; a member of Phi Beta Kappa; active with the Granville Sinnett House and the Senior Fellowship; and a volunteer at Dawes Arboretum.

Mike was an active member of St. Leonard's Parish in Heath, Ohio.

In 1998, Mike was honored by the YWCA of Licking County, Park National Bank and The Newark Advocate with The Woman of Achievement Award for her extensive community involvement.

She was a Braniff Airline stewardess, circa 1942, and she worked as a social worker at the Moundbuilders Guidance Center.

She had many friends.

Mike passed peacefully with her children at her bedside.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Leonard Catholic Church, 57 Dorsey Mill Rd., with Father Michael J. Reis as celebrant.  Burial will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery in Granville.

Friends may call 2 to 4  and  6 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 14, 2010 at the Church of St. Edward the Confessor, 785 Newark-Granville Road, Granville.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Carol Strawn Center, 126 W. Church Street, Newark, Ohio 43055-5033 or to The Dawes Arboretum, 7770 Jacksontown Road S.E., Newark, Ohio 43056