Vanessa Dale (Gutierrez) Lipe, 65, of Schram City, died at 8:45 p.m. on Friday, May 9, 2025, at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 15, at Bass Patton Dean Funeral Home in Hillsboro. In accordance with her family’s wishes, cremation services will be provided. A private burial at Oak Grove Cemetery in Hillsboro will be conducted later. Additionally, there will be a potluck held at her residence on Friday, May 16, at 1 p.m. to celebrate her life.
Born Feb. 27, 1960, in Litchfield, Mrs. Lipe was the daughter of Evangeline Gutierrez. She grew up in the area and graduated from Hillsboro High School in 1978 and later attended Lincoln Land Community College.
She married Gary Lee Lipe, who preceded her in death in July, 1988. Together they had two children, whom she proudly and lovingly raised on her own. She worked hard throughout her life, holding roles as a bartender, waitress, and food service manager at Greenville College, as well as a devoted home health aide.
Mrs. Lipe was a vibrant and spirited woman who loved music—especially The Grateful Dead, John Prine and BB King. She rarely passed up a concert—and the opportunity to add another T-shirt to her collection. Her home was often filled with music, laughter and the delicious aroma of her cooking. Her apple bread was a family favorite, and her pepper steak and ham-hock green beans were legendary.
She loved being outside, especially working barefoot in her yard, and had a deep appreciation for yard sales, thrifting, and vintage finds. Her unique collections of paperweights, sun-themed items and masquerade masks were as colorful as her personality. Mrs. Lipe enjoyed watching documentaries and westerns, and she was a longtime volunteer at St. James Church. She also deeply valued her friendships and time spent with loved ones.
Mrs. Lipe was preceded in death by her husband, Gary; sister, Jolee; and brother-in-law, Roger.
She is survived by her mother, Evangeline Gutierrez of Hillsboro; children, Forrest Lipe of Hillsboro and Mikka Lipe of Schram City; grandchildren, Joseph, Ari and Leonardo Lipe, Annabelle Lipe and Charles Walch; siblings, William Gutierrez of Hillsboro, Miguel Carpani of Hillsboro and Patti Marsee of Edwardsville; several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
In lieu of flowers, the family have asked that memorials be made to the family of Vanessa Lipe, P.O. Box G, Hillsboro, Illinois 62049.
