Bookstaver, Kathleen Anne (née Spellecy), Baptized into the Hope of Christ’s Resurrection on Thursday, October 13, 2022. Beloved wife of John Bookstaver; mother of Colleen (Brian) Reinhardt, Meredith (Justin Gomberg) Bookstaver, and Christopher Bookstaver; grandmother of Owen Reinhardt; sister of Michael (Lucia) Spellecy; our dear sister-in-law, aunt, great aunt, cousin and friend.
Visitation at St. Francis Xavier (College) Church, 3628 Lindell Blvd., on Monday, October 17 from 4 pm until 7pm. Mass of the Resurrection at 7 pm. (COMPLEMENTRY PARKING AT THE GRAND AND LACLEDE PARKING GARAGE) A reception will be held following the Mass in the Parish Ballroom. Private interment Tuesday, October 18, at Sts. Peter and Paul Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations to the ALS Association, appreciated.
Kathy went through this final illness with dignity and grace as she had throughout her life. She kept her sense of humor. She always enjoyed her family and friends. She found reasons to smile. She will be missed and warmly remembered and loved by all she left behind. Godspeed, Kathy.
No words suffice.
With love always for Kathy and peace in the hard moments for John, Colleen, Meredith and Chris. …
John, Colleen, Meredith and Chris,
Please accept my condolences and sincere sympathy on your great loss.
All of you are in our prayers.
Linda
Kathy was my role-model in many ways. She showed me what it meant to be a loving wife, amazing mother, caring sister (forget the in-law part, she was my sister), and how to accept God’s will with grace and peace. ALS may have robbed Kathy of many things, but it could never take away her smile. Kathy loved greatly, was greatly loved, and will be greatly missed.
I am so sorry! Kathy was always so kind and welcoming. She was very helpful to me when I started working at Shriners. She will hold a special place in my heart. Say hi to my mom Kathy!
Our deepest sympathy to all.
Steve andAnn
Sending my love to all the Bookstavers and Spellecys. Kathy was always a special cousin. And still is. I can’t help thinking how she must be being warmly welcomed into heaven by her mother (Georgia Spellecy) and my mother (Dorothy Spellecy Hug). Kind of makes me wish I could celebrate with them.
I started working with Kathy in the 1970s at Shriners. Always a kind and loving and compassionate human. She will be greatly missed.
My prayers and love to all your beautiful family. May you be comforted by so many wonderful memories of love shared!
Dear John and Family,
I am so sorry to hear about Kathy’s death. I have fond memories of gathering at your home, playing the organ for the College Church Choir, and your gift of being cantor at my First Mass. We will offer Mass for Kathy’s eternal life this week and I will also be praying for you and your family.
With hope,
Fr. Paul H. Colloton, OSFS
My heartfelt sympathy and prayers to the Bookstaver’s! I met Kathy in 1973 at Shriners Hospital and what a gem she was to all who were blessed to cross her path! She made me feel welcome and part of the Shriners family! God rest her sweet soul! Heaven is blessed with such a sweet Angel and she will be missed by all who knew and loved her!
My sincerest sympathy for the loss you and your family have experienced. I hope the memories and prayers of those who care for you and your family bring comfort over time.
So sad to hear of Kathy’s illness and death. A kind and loving woman. May your memories comfort you, John and family.
Donna Ruzicka
I’m so sad to read about Kathy’s passing. I enjoyed working with her at Shriners and have missed her since her retirement a few years ago. Sending prayers for comfort to all of her family and friends.
Much peace to a true family of faith.
John, Coleen, Meredith, and Christopher, My prayers for Kathy and for all of you seem so small compared to your loss and her goodness. John, I’ve always held you in the highest esteem (playing the 12-string and all that!) and have so delighted to play with you at the College Church when I could. Please accept my apologies for not making Kathy’s funeral. My schedule at the retreat house (Bellarmine) doesn’t allow me to travel. Know of my prayers for Kathy – to know God face to face – and for you all – that your grieving may be full to find the Lord’s consolation there with you. Love to you, brother.
Dear Kathy And Family,
I am so sad to hear this! Kathy, you were such a ray of sunshine and very helpful and caring! I did not know of your diagnosis. Peace be with you and your family. Loving regards, Sharon
❤️✝️
My heart goes out to you John, Colleen, Meredith, and Chris – how heavy your own hearts must be with sorrow. May you be comforted by your faith, and by the knowledge that Kathy is resting in peace and joy with our heavenly Father.
Best,
Joanne Slater
Sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Love, Zach
John, Chris, Meredith & Coleen, I knew Kathy for many years from working at Shriners Hospital. her family was everything to her and she spoke of all of you often. May the memories of happier times bring you all strength in your grief. Deepest sympathy, Barb Beaston
Kathy was a beautiful person. I enjoyed time with her,
A life well lived is a joy to man and God. Our family is thinking of yours and her well lived life.
Heartfelt condolences to you and your family.
Prayers of comfort and peace during this difficult time.
Very sorry for your loss. Please accept my sincere condolences. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Dear Cherished Bookstavers,
If you need a little extra Faith about now…
Here…
Have some of our Faith.
We’ve used it quite a bit in the last few years.
It’s still good.
Moment-to-moment, we are lifting you up in Prayer.
Chuck and Sylvia
The song is ended, but the melody lingers on… – Irving Berlin
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
John and family,
Please accept our heartfelt sympathy for your loss of Kathy. I hope your good memories will give you strength in this time of sadness.
John,
So sorry to hear of your loss. Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
I would like to extend my deepest sympathy to John and family. Kathy and I, along with another girl, were good friends back in our youth. We were always together. We all met at Shriners when we were very young and had a really great group of coworkers. We just had so much fun, and I still have quite a few photos of her from our youthful days. Kathy and I both met the loves of our lives and we began to gravitate more to spending time with them and their friends. We were each in each other’s weddings. We each moved a good distance apart and subsequently so did our closeness. But I still thought of her often and have lots of great memories of those carefree early years of just good fun. I am so grateful for the time we shared together. I know it is a great loss for John, as he and Kathy shared more life together than apart. She will forever be a part of you. My prayers are for you to continue to keep Kathy’s spirit for life alive in every way you can. Memories are meant to be shared. May you comfort each other and feel surrounded in her love. RIP Kathy.
I am sorry to hear of your loss! Please except my sincere condolences ! I will keep you and your family in my prayers!!
So sorry for your loss. You family has my deepest condolences.
John, my sincere condolences to you and your family. All of you are in my thoughts & prayers. Lisa Schwab (SCC).
Dear John,
My sincere condolences to you and your family. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Lisa Mouser
Hey John. I just now saw this obituary, and am heartbroken that Kathy passed away two months ago. I don’t know if you remember me, but I met you in San Diego in March 2012 when you were there for a conference, and Kathy was with you. We got together for dinner one evening, and breakfast one morning. I worked with Kathy at Shriners Hospital in 2010-11, and grew quite fond of her. She was quite honestly one of the kindest people I’ve ever met, and it was a pleasure to know her. I knew you had a wonderful marriage and life together, and can only imagine the sense of grief and loss you must still be feeling. My husband Michael’s mother also passed away from ALS, in 2012 two months after I saw you both in San Diego. I send my belated condolences to you and your three children.