Mary Schwab

Mary Ruth Joyce Schwab of Cape Girardeau died Monday, Oct. 14, 2019, at Delmar Gardens in Chesterfield, Missouri.

Mary was born Dec. 1, 1929, in Cape Girardeau, the youngest of eight children, to James H. Joyce and Ruth Helen Alfultis. On July 22, 1956, she and James H. "Pete" Schwab were married at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Cape Girardeau. He preceded her in death Sept. 22, 1987.

For 25 years, she was an assistant to state Sen. A.M. Spradling Jr. of Cape Girardeau. She then moved to Boatmen's Bank (Farmers and Merchants), from which she retired in 1994.

In 1969, she became a member of Beta Sigma Phi International women's sorority, achieving Torchbearer (status) degree in 2013.

She loved her family, friends and, throughout the years, even the deer that ate her flowers and the squirrels that ate her tomatoes. All people and animals seemed to make their way to Mary's heart.

Please join us in the delight and comfort of her memory.

Mary is survived by her son, Patrick and Beth (Elizabeth) Owens Schwab of Grayslake, Illinois; and grandchildren, Anne Eilis, Owen and Christopher Schwab.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; sisters, Helen Robinson, Amanda Lorberg, Esther Bivins and Erna Faye Roth; and brothers, James H. Joyce Jr., Robert F. Joyce and Thomas Joyce.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., with parish prayers at 7 p.m., Friday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.

Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Brian Straus officiating. Burial will be at St. Mary's Cemetery in Cape Girardeau.

Memorial contributions may be given to American Heart Association.

Online condolences may be sent at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.