MaryAnn Seppala

MaryAnn (Haapaoja) Seppala, 90, of Rindge, NH, and formerly of Lantana, FL, was carried away to heaven, surrounded by her dear loved ones, after a long, valiant battle with dementia and cancer, on Friday, October 6, 2023.

She was born on May 23rd, 1933, in Gardner, MA, a daughter of the late Kaarle and Mary (Koski) Haapaoja.  MaryAnn attended the Gardner schools, played the baritone horn in the marching band, sang at her Church with her siblings, and at 17 years of age, married the love of her life, Edwin Seppala.  Not just once (as he asked her in the proposal) but TWICE! on June 10, 1950 - the beginning of the sweetest love story ever told.  They settled in Rindge, NH where they raised 13 children and ‘adopted’ kids too. (Janine will always be her adopted daughter) In 1980, They moved to Lantana, FL, enjoying and serving many years in the small Apostolic Lutheran Church community there. After Edwin passed away in 2014, MaryAnn continued to reside in Lantana until 2021, when she moved back to New Hampshire.

To know MaryAnn is to know love!  Wherever she was, there was laughter, music and singing... or some goofy antics going on.  She welcomed everyone into her home, offering food and fellowship, which always ended up with her playing the piano and praises ringing out - singing about her love for Jesus! She gave, she served, she hugged, she comforted and cared about everyone.  She treated everyone the same; young, old, rich, or poor.  Everyone was her favorite, or as she would say… ‘I just have a soft spot in my heart for them.’  MaryAnn’s love is still felt deeply by so many hearts today.

She loved her children, grandchildren, and great grands deeply!  Even the in-laws (or out-laws as she would jokingly say) They were so, so dear to her heart always!  After losing 3 sons in 6 months’ time, she was asked how she can still smile.  She answered, ‘Every day, I think of one thing to be thankful for, then I start thinking of more. And before you know it, my heart is lighter. I have so much to be thankful for!’ We are so thankful for you Mom! Thank you for loving so well!   

In addition to her parents, Maryann is preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Edwin Seppala, 5 sons: Michael Seppala, Philip Seppala, Jimmy Seppala, Paul Seppala & Ralph Seppala, her great-granddaughter, Amara Warnke, her brothers, Richard Haapaoja, Eddie Haapaoja,  Ray Haapaoja, and her sister Sylvia (Haapaoja) Oberg.

Maryann is survived by her children, in order by age; Ann Matson (with Jack) of Yacolt, WA, Susan Stenersen (with Lyle) of Rindge, NH, Darlene West (with Jonny) of Rindge, NH, Calvin Seppala (with Brenda) of Rindge, NH, Peter Seppala (with Marylynn) of Rindge, NH, Timothy Seppala of New Ipswich, NH, Carla Olin (with Chet) of Sequin, TX, and Jennie Aho (with Adam) of Rindge, NH; 79 Grandchildren, 285 great-grandchildren and 33 great-great-grandchildren.  She is also survived by her daughters-in-law, Kathy Seppala of New Ipswich, NH, Peggy Seppala of Lantana, FL, Sharon Seppala of Sequin, TX, and her sister, Carol Couture (with Paul) of Shiloh, Illinois, along with numerous nieces, nephews and dear friends.

All services will be held at the Apostolic Lutheran Church, 117 Goen Road, New Ipswich, NH 03071.