Lori L. Sipes

Lori L. Sipes, 30, of Pittsburgh, formerly of Natrona Heights, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2016. She was born Feb. 18, 1985, in Pittsburgh, the daughter of James M. and Sheryl L. Chapman Sipes, of Natrona Heights. Lori attended Highlands High School until 10th grade where she participated in the Gifted Program. She graduated High School in 2003 from the Western Pennsylvania Cyber School with a 4.0 grade point average. Lori went on to earn her bachelor's degree in psychology and anthropology and a minor in Japanese from the University of Pittsburgh. She then traveled to Japan, where she taught English to Japanese students at the Maple School in Tokyo. While in Japan, Lori earned her master's degree with honor's in global studies from Sophia University in Tokyo. Upon her return to the United States, Lori taught ESL at Chatham University in Pittsburgh. She also taught English to foreign students on the internet and worked for the Carnegie Museum Foundation. Lori enjoyed life, and experiencing new adventures, continuing her education, traveling, reading, watching TV programs like SVU, spending time in the outdoors and celebrating holidays with family and friends. She will be remembered for being eclectic, her free spirit, her brilliance, her compassion towards others, her love of animals, especially her cat, Lua, and for being a beautiful person inside and out. She also was a CORE donor. Lori is survived by her parents, James M. and Sheryl Chapman Sipes, of Natrona Heights; her aunts, Cornelia "Cookie" Howard, of Freeport, and Mary Ellen Sipes, of New Kensington; cousins, Russell "Rusty" Howard, of Pittsburgh, and Levi Sipes, of Lower Burrell; her significant other, Chris Quillen; and by her special friend, Diana Pinchevsky. She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Ernest J. and Emma A. Chapman; paternal grandparents, James S. and Mary Sipes; uncle, Robert Allen Sipes; and by her cat, Lex.
Friends will be received from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday and 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday in the CICHOLSKI-ZIDEK FUNERAL HOME INC., 1522 Carlisle St., Natrona Heights, 724-224-8688. Funeral ceremonies will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday in the funeral home with the Rev. R. Cameron Malcolm IV officiating. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Lori may be made to a animal shelter of the donor's choice. To send an online condolence, please visit www.cicholski-zidekfh.com.