Personal Trainer, Wife, Mother Noreen Papa, 47

Noreen L. Papa, 47, of Ridgefield, wife of John M. Papa, died surrounded by her loving family on Saturday afternoon, June 29, 2013 at her home.

Mrs. Papa was born in Cleveland, Ohio, February 3, 1966, a daughter of Patricia (Monroe) Lapham of Chardon, Ohio and the late Charles V. Lapham. She attended St. Mary School and Notre Dame High School both of Chardon, Xavier University of Cincinnati, Ohio and graduated from Pace University of Pleasantville, NY.

An area resident since 1987 coming from Ohio, Mrs. Papa first resided in Westchester County, NY from 1987 to 1994 when she moved to Ridgefield.

As a Ridgefield resident, Mrs. Papa was a certified Personal Trainer, an avid runner and athlete, a member of RLAM (Run Like A Mother) and several local running groups. She competed in several marathons and a tri. She was a member of St. Mary Parish and active in its Religious Education program. She was a Catechist and Religious Educator for six years.

A loyal friend, loving mother and wife, friends and the community will remember Noreen as a gift of encouragement and positivity.

In addition to her husband of 25 years and mother, Mrs. Papa is survived by three sons, John Charles “Chip” Papa, Andrew Michael Papa and Joshua Thomas “J.T.” Papa; a daughter, Isabel M. Papa; two brothers, Charles V. Lapham and his wife, Joan, and Joel M. Lapham; three sisters, Mary P. Lapham, Karen A. Hammer and her husband “A.J.” and Denise A. Blankenship and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her father, Mrs. Papa was predeceased by a sister, Sheila A. Lapham.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, July 6, 2013 at 10:15 a.m. in St. Mary Church, Ridgefield.

Interment will take place in St. Mary Cemetery, Ridgefield at the direction of the family.

The family will receive friends in the Kane Funeral Home, 25 Catoonah St., Ridgefield on Friday, July 5, 2013 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to St. Mary’s Parish Education Program Care of: Noreen Papa religioused@smcr.org or The Swim Across America Laboratory at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center-New York, NY.