Mary Catherine Cappel, of St. Louis, went home to heaven peacefully on Wednesday December 21st surrounded by her loving family.
Mary was born in St. Louis at City Hospital on 1/1/1952 and was the New Year’s Baby for that year. She was born to the late Alma J. Baldwin (nee Cleghorn) and Glen A. Mays Sr. Mary was one of eight children and the youngest daughter born to Alma and Glen. Mary was very close to her seven siblings and her larger extended family. She met her husband Charlie in her youth, and they were married shortly after his return from Vietnam in July 1971. They celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary in July 2022.
In 1983, Mary and Charlie had a son, Charles (Chuck), and Mary paused her career to stay home and raise him. She was a devoted mother who was very involved in Chuck’s school. She took tours of duty as School Librarian and a Leader in the After Care program. She also served as Chuck’s Cub Scout Den Leader before returning to her career.
Mary entered a new chapter of her life in 2012 when she became grandmother to Charles “Bradley” Cappel and spent numerous afternoons on “adventures” with him as they developed a very close bond. Holly Elise followed in 2017 and more special memories were made. Mary was very proud of her son Chuck and daughter-in-law Jocelyn and would get the biggest smile when talking about her grandchildren.
Mary loved her pets as well and had a number of small dogs that she attentively cared for and nurtured.
Mary loved to travel and visited almost half of the states in the US. She took coast to coast bus tours with her sisters and sisters-in-law and surprised them with her love of ziplining and boating. In her younger days, she and Charlie had been avid boaters, traveling up and down Midwest waterways and making new friends. Mary was an expert navigator and made sure they always made it home safely.
Mary was diagnosed with an aggressive form of lung and liver cancer in Fall 2022. Her desire was to forego treatment and enjoy the time she had left. She moved into Gardenview Care Center in November and lived her life to the fullest. She pledged to make a new friend every day and succeeded with her goal. She joined the Resident Council and befriended any staff or resident who interacted with her. She received wonderful care through Gardenview and from Gentiva Hospice Care and her nurse Suzanne.
Mary has moved on to a better place where she is free of pain and is reunited with her beloved brothers, sisters, mother and father. Those left to cherish her memory here are: her husband Charlie Cappel, son Chuck Cappel (Jocelyn), grandchildren Bradley and Holly, sister Allie “Chris” Owens; and two sisters-in-law, Debbie Mays, and Mary Mays, as well as lifelong friends Sandy Duvic (George) and Kathy Moskop (Larry). She was a loving and supportive Aunt to her many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and cousins.
Mary was preceded in death by her siblings, Glen A. Mays Jr., Darrell Mays, Shirley Hooker, Frances Reckert, Billie Vitale and Rose Ross, by her brothers-in-law Al Owens, Donald Reckert, and Frank “Jack” Jellinek, and by her sister-in-law Betty Jellinek.
Services: A memorial service will be held at Kutis South County (15255 Lemay Ferry) on Saturday January 14, 2023 at 1 PM.
If desired, in lieu of flowers please donate to the American Cancer Society in Mary’s name.
Mary was a shining light for all of us privileged to have known and loved her. She was the most selfless person I ever met – always concerned about everyone except herself. She was my very good friend for 50 years and I will miss her every day.
There are no words to ease the pain of losing this Earth Angel who is loved by so many. Mary will always be remembered as a truly selfless person with a huge heart who loved her family dearly. She was always there to help when needed and will be greatly missed. God Bless Charlie, Chuck, Jocelyn, Bradley, Holly and the rest of the Mays Nation at this very sad time
Love,
Mary Mays, The Gales and The Howard’s
I work at the nursing home Mary spent the final months of her life at. She was a very sweet woman who I loved getting to know. She was friendly to everyone and made good friends. She always had the best stories to tell. The best stuff was when she would get together with her sister Chris. Laughs always resulted. Mary is now cancer free and at peace and with her other siblings. She will be deeply missed. My deepest condolences to Chris, Charlie, Debbie, and the rest of the family. May Mary’s memory be a blessing. May she rest in peace.