Chloe Elise Rripaj

After a courageous battle, Chloe Elise Rripaj, of Pelham, passed away on November 2nd 2025, surrounded by her loving family. She had just celebrated her sixteenth birthday.

Born at Bronxville Hospital, Chloe was the cherished only child of Nikolin Rripaj and Enkelejda Coku Santini. She spent her early years in the Bronx before moving to Pelham at the age of six, where she was lovingly raised by her mother and her devoted grandparents, Zef and Lule Coku (“Nana and Daja”), who shared an unbreakable bond with her. Chloe attended Hutchinson Elementary School, Pelham Middle School, and Pelham Memorial High School.

Chloe was the bright light of her large extended family — smart, kind, beautiful, and full of grace. Her warmth, quick wit, and radiant smile drew people in effortlessly. She loved to travel the world with her family, capture sunsets on her camera, spend sunny days at the beach, enjoy good food, and express herself through her impeccable sense of style. Wise and poised beyond her years, Chloe had a natural elegance and a generous heart that touched everyone she met.

A talented and active young woman, Chloe rowed with the City Island Girls Rowing Team and also enjoyed ballet, gymnastics, art and fashion. Her greatest joy, however, was spending time with her family — especially her grandparents and her many cousins, who were more like brothers and sisters to her.

Chloe is survived by her loving mother and stepfather, Enkelejda Coku Santini and Jean-Claude Santini; her father Nikolin Rripaj; her devoted grandparents, Zef and Lule Coku; her adoring aunts, Donika (Nikolin) Dodaj of Pelham, Vera (Sergio) Gjoni of Italy, Alma Elezaj of Pelham, Ana (Claudio) Ascani of Italy and Luljeta (Ardian) Makaj of Italy; and her beloved cousins Andrew, Christina, Xhuliano, Daniel, Elton, Xhenifer, Nikoleta, Aron, Riccardo, and Aurora. She will be deeply missed by her family, her friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing her. Chloe is predeceased by her Uncle Tony Elezaj.

A Celebration of Chloe’s Life will be held on Thursday, November 6th, from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Pelham Funeral Home, 64 Lincoln Avenue, Pelham, New York. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Friday, November 7th, at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 575 Fowler Avenue, Pelham Manor, New York. Interment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Hawthorne, New York.

For more information or to leave a condolence, please visit www.pelhamfuneral.com