Eleanor Apolonia Lipski

Eleanor Apolonia Niemkiewicz Lipski, age 96, passed away at Biloxi Memorial Hospital on August 3, 2026, surrounded by her loving sons. A woman of boundless warmth, quiet resilience, and profound faith, Eleanor devoted her life entirely to her family, her church, and her community.

Eleanor was born in Old Forge, Pennsylvania, at 10:45 p.m. on June 27, 1930, to Joseph and Bertha Szmyd Niemkiewicz. Her father was a young Polish immigrant who proudly served and was wounded fighting for the United States in World War I. Raised in Old Forge with a strong appreciation for family and heritage, Eleanor graduated from Old Forge High School in 1948 and began her working life at a nearby pants factory within walking distance of her childhood home.

She married, John Edward Paul Lipski of Scranton, Pennsylvania, and steadfastly supported his long career in the United States Navy. As a military family, they lived across the country and around the globe, making homes in Washington, D.C., Rhode Island, California, Morocco, and Mississippi. In 1966, they made Mississippi their permanent home base, returning to settle in Long Beach following a year in Rhode Island while John deployed to Antarctica in 1967.

With quiet courage and unwavering resolve, Eleanor managed the home front through long military deployments. Most notably, in 1969, while John was deployed to Vietnam, Eleanor single-handedly kept her four young sons safe through Hurricane Camille. She possessed a remarkable ability to turn a little into a lot, ensuring her family never wanted for anything—especially love.

Eleanor’s life was grounded in her faith in God, love for her family and her active devotion to her parish. Following their return to Long Beach, she and John became long-time parishioners of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church. Eleanor gave selflessly of her time, serving as a Cub Scout Den Mother and volunteering for many years as a concession stand manager for Dixie Youth Baseball in Long Beach. She was an ever present spectator at baseball games and school band performances alike.

She lived modestly but richly, enjoying her flower and vegetable gardens, caring for her dogs, watching birds, sewing, crocheting, listening to music, and dancing—especially the polka. Above all, she treasured old family traditions and took great care to pass down her Polish heritage, creating cherished memories for her family; especially at Christmas.

Eleanor was preceded in death by her beloved husband, John Edward Lipski; her cherished grandson, John Joseph Lipski; her sisters, Stephie Yevich, Sophie Mezyinski, and Annie Marshalek; and her brother, Chester Niemkiewicz.

Her legacy of selfless love lives on in her surviving family: her four sons, Mike (Jill), Jim (Diana), Tom (Jacquie), and Alan (Danielle); her four cherished grandchildren, Olivia, Nikki, Amelia, and Matthew; as well as her grieving sister Josephine and many extended family members, friends, and neighbors who loved her dearly.

Visitation will be on Sunday, August 9, 2026, from 4 - 6 pm at the Riemann Family Funeral Home, 19130 Commission Road, Long Beach. The rosary will be recited at 5:30 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30 am on Monday, August 10, 2026, at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 720 E Beach Blvd, Long Beach. Interment will be in Biloxi National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 39105.