Martha J. Hipchen

Martha “Dody” Josephine Rich Hipchen, born May 1, 1932 in Bradford, Pennsylvania and died April 11, 2023 in Arlington Heights, Illinois, was the daughter of the late Hugh A. Rich and Margaret O’Connell Rich. She was the fourth of six children (Elizabeth Zetts, Hugh “Bud” Rich, Bill Rich, Tom Rich, and Ann Mongillo), and is survived by her sister, Ann, her three children, Karl, Emily, and John Hipchen, seven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. She graduated from Bradford High School, earned a bachelor’s degree in English literature from Seton Hill college in 1953, and was married shortly thereafter to the late Donald Eugene Hipchen, also of Bradford. In the 1960s, they moved with the children to Pinellas County, FL, which became her home until she transitioned to Palatine, Illinois to be with family in 2016. She enjoyed a good novel, a competitive game of bridge and Scrabble (she nearly always won), and had a deep affection for cats, who made her sneeze and itch, though she snuggled them anyway. She loved sweets—chocolate and ice cream in particular—and when she was in Bradford, she made sure she and her sister went out for Tubbers (ice cream sundaes with marshmallow sauce) like they did when they were kids. She liked laughing and being teased, and loved best when her grandson Jack fondly harassed her. She looked forward especially to Christmas, St. Patrick’s Day, family birthdays, and visits. Visitation at Simkins Funeral Home 6251 Dempster St. Morton Grove, IL 60053 on Sunday, April 16th from 2:00 p.m. until the time of the funeral service at 5:00 p.m. She will be interred at a ceremony in Bradford, Pennsylvania on Wednesday, April 19, 2023. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you do something kind in her name. (847) 965-2500

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