Marie Howell

Marie A. McHenry Howell, 97, of Cape Girardeau died Saturday, Jan. 24, 2015, at Saint Francis Medical Center.

She was born Nov. 13, 1917, in St. Louis, to William F. and Mary Ellen Doyle McHenry. She and Roger James Howell were married Nov. 28, 1942, in St. Louis. He preceded her in death in 1984.

Marie and her family moved to Cape Girardeau in 1950 from Quincy, Illinois. In 1967 she opened the Lemon Tree Gift Boutique in downtown Cape Girardeau.

She was a member of Old St. Vincent's Catholic Church, Downtown Merchants Association, Rose Hill Garden Club, Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce, Cape Girardeau Historical Society, and lifetime member of Saint Francis Auxiliary. She was also a former Girl Scout leader.

Marie was part of a group who helped to save Old St. Vincent's Church and established it on the National Register of Historic Places. She also helped establish the first Teen Town in Cape Girardeau in the 1960s.

Marie dearly loved her Irish heritage and her McHenry family, and had fond memories of her trips to her beloved Ireland, the "old sod." She was an avid bridge player and was very creative with anything she touched. She never met a piano she didn't love, playing by ear, she was always the life of the party.

Survivors include a daughter, Martha Howell Sims and husband R.Z. of Harrisonville, Missouri; a son, Richard William Howell of Los Angeles; and a grandchild, Lena Katherine Howell of Los Angeles.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and five brothers, Francis, Adrian, W.F., Louis and Raymond McHenry.

Friends may call from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Old St. Vincent's Church, with the Rev. Allan Saunders officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Old St. Vincent's Catholic Church or Chateau Girardeau Foundation Marie Howell Memorial.

Online condolences may be made at fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.