Mary J. (Ripko) Emanuele

Mary J. Emanuele of Oil City, PA, age 82, passed away at 9:22 AM on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at home surrounded by her loving family.

Mary is the daughter of the late George and Margaret (Dunkle) Ripko.  She was married to Guy L. Emanuele (56 + years), who preceded her in death and is survived by her 5 children, Peggy (John) Napier of Jensen Beach, FL, Lisa (Sean) Stephenson of Ocean City, MD, Robin Emanuele (Jeff Solinger) of Bumpass, VA, JR Emanuele (Megan Raczka) of Bishopville, MD and Chris Emanuele (Karen Henrietta) of Waterford, PA and her 7 grandchildren Devon Napier, Hayley (Trevor) Napier Anhalt, John Riley Napier (Amy Paulino), Matthew and Katie Emanuele, Ameila and Alexandra Emanuele, and 4 great grandchildren (plus one in the oven) Lakelynn and Austin Anhalt, and Riley and Mia Napier.  Mary is also survived by her sister Georgia (Dave) Staab, multiple nieces and nephews, cousins and special friends, including those at the Belles Lettres Club.  She was a wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother who never missed a family event. She loved her horse, Salty, and cat, Chubby Cheeks. She especially enjoyed her time at craft fairs with her niece, Tina Weston.

Mary was born July 1, 1943 in Oil City, PA. She owned and operated the Shamrock Tavern until she retired in 1995.  While operating her business, she organized events for her patrons and friends including ski, river and camping trips and professional football outings. She is the longest sponsor of the Oil Heritage softball tournament, with her team, Mary’s Men (43 consecutive years and running).

In addition to being a successful businesswoman, Mary loved children and animals and actively supported the community with her involvement in the Big Sisters, CASA and GED literacy programs. She volunteered at Precious Paws and managed the CRACK Foundation, which helped vulnerable children experience a special Christmas.  She was the unofficial mentor to all the kids in the neighborhood.

Mary was the ultimate bridge player and the great white hunter. Throughout her lifetime she enjoyed traveling, participating in the pool and art leagues, taking piano and guitar lessons, drum circles, line dancing, cross-country skiing, kayaking and canoeing the Allegheny River, bicycling and walking the bike trail, playing tennis, gambling, and cheering on the Pittsburgh Steelers, Penguins and Pirates. 

The family would like to thank the staff of AseraCare, specifically, Lisa Winger and Andrea Fox.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Mary’s name to a children’s organization that is special to you.

A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, July 17, 2026 from 3 – 6 PM at Hasson Park, Oil City, PA main pavilion.

Online Condolences may be posted at www.reinselfunerhome.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mary J. (Ripko) Emanuele, please visit our floral store.