Colleen Sue Lipaj

Colleen Lipaj, age 82, died April 26, 2010 at home, surrounded by loving family. For 24 years, Colleen Lipaj taught English to students at Westlake High School until her retirement in 1986. She was one of the teachers who designed a very successful College Preparatory English program that stressed frequent and carefully organized writings based on great literature. In 1965, she was named a Jennings Scholar, and in 1973 she was Westlake’s Teacher of the Year. Even in retirement, she enjoyed hearing from former students who called or wrote to thank her for the discipline and hard work that she required from them.Mrs. Lipaj was raised in Lakewood and attended Lakewood High School where in 1943 she was chosen as one of the four, original girl cheerleaders. She graduated and attended The Ohio State University for 3 years until her marriage in 1948. After her youngest child was in school, she returned to finish her undergraduate degree at Western Reserve University. In 1961, she began teaching in Westlake and attended Cleveland State University to work toward her masters degree in English. She balanced raising a family, pursuing a career, and finishing her education.After her retirement from teaching in 1986, she enjoyed traveling, playing golf, reading, and emailing her family and friends. She and her late husband of 53 years lived in Bradenton, FL, but maintained a home in Bay Village where they spent the summer months.Mrs. Lipaj’s husband, Cy, died in 2001. She is survived by daughters Caprice “Cappi” Mercer of Bay Village and Christine Shaver of Littleton, CO, and sons Craig “Chip” (Patti) of Bath and C. Mark (Lisa) of Chardon. She was the sister of Joann Sanders of Rocky River and the late Paul Kimmell. She was the grandmother of 13 and great grandmother of 6.