Mary Alice Weber

DE SOTO, Mo. -- Mary Alice Weber passed away peacefully, singing her way into Heaven Thursday, March 23, 2023.

She was born May 4, 1928, in Sedalia Missouri, one of five children to Harry Edward and Mary Boyle Weber.

The family then moved to Independence, Missouri; then Kansas City, Missouri; and then to De Soto. Mary Alice moved to Cape Girardeau to be near family in April 2021.

"Ms. Weber" attended Central Missouri State University, earning her teaching certificate, as did many of the Weber clan. She began her 44-year teaching career in 1951 in Hartville, Missouri. For three years she taught social studies, American history and world history, in addition to ninth-, 10th- and 11th-grade English.

She left Hartville for De Soto and taught the remainder of her 41 years at De Soto High School until her retirement in 1995. There she taught English and later social studies, including American problems, contemporary issues, American history, American government and world geography. She served as the Social Studies Department chair; sponsored the regular cheerleaders, football and basketball and some volleyball; the National Honor Society and Student Council. Every summer she took her cheerleaders to cheerleading camp. She was the originator of the school's first Washington, D.C., trip in 1976. She loved those trips greatly, as did the students.

Mary Alice was an inspiring American citizen, dedicated to helping all students understand what it truly means to be a patriotic and loyal citizen. Not only did she want them to become proud, loyal Americans, she truly wanted each of them to become successful adults, learning the value of hard work and determination. She was taught at a young age that, as long as you can get up and move and go to work, you will always have a dollar in your pocket and be able to take care of yourself.

She embodied what an educator should be -- always focused on "the kids". She was dedicated to her profession, her fellow faculty members and staff and her students. She worked collaboratively with the parents as a unified team to ensure success for every student. Her dedication to improving a student's potential at school and in the community was monumental.

Mary Alice was a member of the Alpha Iota Chapter of PEO -- Delta Kappa. She joined in 1960 and served as the third president of the Alpha Iota Chapter from 1964 to 1966.

Behind the scenes, Mary Alice was a consummate philanthropist, secretly providing the schools with money for "the kids". Her wishes were well known, and this philanthropic nature will be able to continue on in the schools for many, many years to come.

Loyalty, work ethic and dependability were three of her most telling attributes. Her commitment and passion for excellence in all aspects of life was unsurpassed. She built confidence in others and instilled in them a high level of self-esteem by being encouraging and positive. She willingly shared one of her greatest gifts with everyone she met -- her heart power.

Her other activities in De Soto are far reaching and too numerous to put in a concise writing.

Equal and probably greater was her love of her church, St. Andrew's United Methodist Church. She was a faithful member and follower her entire life, following in her parents' footsteps. Her knowledge of God's word was immense; her belief in eternal life and Jesus Christ unsurpassed. This faith carried her throughout her entire life, and through to the peaceful end.

Her family was her life. As were her many friends, prior students and caregivers. Those caregivers over the past two years became her new "students," and her influence over them was great.

She was predeceased in death by her parents; brothers, James, William and Charles Weber; her brother-in-law, Don Fitzgerald; and sisters-in-law, Dorothy Weber and Lois L Woodford; and her nephew, Kirk Weber.

Mary Alice is survived by a sister, Margie Fitzgerald; sister-in-law, Merlin Weber; nieces and nephews and their spouses, John and Jane Fitzgerald, Jane Fitzgerald, Jan and Dave Rigdon, Kathy and David Bertrand, Bill and Mary Jean Weber, Mary Margaret Rogers, Charles and Linda Weber, Jim and Lori Weber, Douglas Weber, David and Alberta Weber, and Susan and Scott Baum; a special nephew, Tyler Fitzgerald; and very special and devoted friend, Clark Wischmeier.

Visitation and funeral will be Monday, March 27, at Saint Andrew's UMC in De Soto. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to noon, with the funeral at noon.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Andrew's UMC; De Soto School District -- memo line Community Service Scholarship St Louis Children's Hospital or the De Soto Ministerial Alliance.

Dietrich-Mothershead Funeral Home in De Soto is in charge of arrangements.