A memorial service for Mrs. Mary Ellen Krippner will be celebrated on Tuesday, March 3, 2009 at 4:30 pm at South Aiken Presbyterian Church. Interment will take place at Memory Gardens, Arlington Heights, IL. Memorial donations may be directed to Aiken Area Council on Aging, Inc., PO Box 3156 Aiken, SC 29802. Mrs. Krippner, 77, of Aiken, died Thursday February 26th at Heartland Hospice House, Augusta, GA. The only child of the late Chester and Sophie Schultz Washburn, she was born in Oak Park, IL and had lived most of her life in Libertyville, IL before moving to Aiken in 1999. Throughout her life, Mary Ellen was well known for her involvement in many community activities. She was a great supporter of the arts in Aiken, serving as an original member of the Aiken City Council Arts Commission and worked with The Aiken Center for the Arts on the "Horseplay" fundraising project. She served on the Aiken Community Playhouse Board of Directors and worked as the Fundraising and Playhouse Awards coordinator. Her philanthropic spirit extended to other areas as well. As an Aiken Area Council on Aging volunteer, she helped coordinate the critically acclaimed "Calendar Project" and helped with the Meals-on-Wheels program. She served on the Aiken City Parking Committee and assisted with the CMI "Bionic Golf Invitational". She was an active member of South Aiken Presbyterian Church where she served as a Deacon. In earlier years, Mary Ellen was an active leader with the Condell Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, in Libertyville, IL and the Allendale School for Boys, in Lake Villa, IL. Mary Ellen was a devoted mother, grandmother and homemaker. She held a degree in design from The Ray- Vogue School of Design and worked for many years in the furniture and homebuilding industries. In addition to her parents, Mary Ellen was predeceased by her first husband, Dr. Fred E. Kohn, who died in 1985. She is survived by her husband, Henry Krippner, Aiken and two children; Sue Kohn Shannon and her husband, Dr. Tim Shannon and a son; Dr. Fred R. Kohn, San Diego, CA. She is also survived by three grandchildren; Kyle Reid Shannon, Tierney Anne Shannon and Brynne Caroline Shannon, all of Aiken. The family would like to acknowledge the following care giving organizations for their exceptional care and compassion: The Cancer Care Institute of Carolina, Liberty Hospice, Especially Seniors, and Heartland Hospice House.