Carol Hesse

Carol Marie Hesse, 73, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, Aug. 1, 2014, at Saint Francis Medical Center.

She was born Sept. 9, 1940, in St. Louis, to John and Catherine Reese Simon. She and Don C. Hesse were married in 1957.

Carol was a graduate of Little Flower School (elementary) and Maplewood High School in 1958.

She and Don lived most of their lives in the St. Louis area, with a few years in Redondo Beach, California, before relocating to Sikeston, Missouri, in 1981 then Cape Girardeau in 1992.

Many of her happy memories of growing up included competition roller skating, and dear friends Mary Carol, Ginny and Barb. During the 1970s and 1980s, she and Don enjoyed riding and traveling the country on their motorcycle. She was active in the American Legion Auxiliary of Sikeston many years, and had a strong desire for philanthropy and community service.

For many years she was a stay-at-home mom and epitomized the role of super mom. She did it all: cooking, sewing, crafts, restoring antiques, classroom mother and substitute teacher. She also enjoyed her gardens, which were a source of great pride and joy. While living in Cape Girardeau, she was an administrative assistant many years.

She loved to travel and her favorite places were the beach vacations with family and friends. She relished time spent at the beach with a good book and a glass of wine. As an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan, time spent watching or listening to the games was a treat. Weekends were spent on their houseboat on Lake Kinkaid in Illinois. She had a passion for reading, the Internet, world events, photography, her morning tea and good grammar. She was so full of life and loved game nights with friends and family. Trivial Pursuit was played many times. Her husband has the nickname of "Frog," and throughout her life she amassed quite a collection of frog trinkets, statues and everything froggy.

During the last year she never complained, maintaining a brave and cheerful outlook for an optimistic future. She was a very supportive wife and mother and will be missed by many. She was of the Catholic faith and her favorite saint was St. Teresa of the Little Flower.

Survivors include her husband, Don C. Hesse of Cape Girardeau; a son, Phillip Hesse of St. Louis; three daughters, Donna (Rob) Sumner of Cape Girardeau, Laurie Hesse of St. Louis and Mary Shannon (Corey) McNew of Cape Girardeau; 11 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and a number of other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents and three sisters, Claire, Nancy and Judy.

Visitation will be from 9 to 10:45 a.m. Saturday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

A memorial Mass will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Mary Cathedral, with the Rev. Allan Saunders officiating.

Memorial contributions may be given to St. Mary Cathedral.

Online condolences may be made at fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.