Mary Therese McVicar, nee Murnane, 70, of Belleville, IL, born Monday, June 7, 1954, in Euclid, OH, passed away peacefully Tuesday, October 22, 2024 surrounded by family at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in Saint Louis, MO.
Our sadness is only overcome by knowing that Mary Therese McVicar has passed onto glory to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Mary Therese lived every moment of her life to the fullest! Mary Therese’s deep faith and trust in Jesus shone through by her zest for living and loving others. Her spirited and enthusiastic way of sharing whatever she had with others will truly live on as an example of a person that spread love through her energy and zeal for life! Mary Therese lived her values of faith and family everyday by being interested and engaged in celebrating life and walking alongside others on their journey. Mary Therese “never met a stranger” and considered everyone just a new friend to be made. Mary was the soul of warmth, grace and hospitality and opened her heart and home to many a needy soul starting with family, friends and foster children. Growing up as the oldest sibling of nine children, Mary Therese was the leader and sometimes instigator of a many a childhood adventure.
When Mary Therese met and married her high school sweetheart, she took that sense of adventure with her as the military wife of James McVicar, U.S. Air Force, retired. Together they devoted themselves to raising, loving and investing themselves into the growth and development of their three children. They accomplished this while their life travels took them to military bases from Illinois to the Air Force Academy in Colorado, Washington State, Tokyo, Japan and back to the Midwest at Scott Air Force Base. Mary Therese made life-long friends wherever she went, and those friends became family. She celebrated life and learning. Mary Therese taught English as a second language in Japan and truly welcomed her students while also learning Japanese culture and taking that with her to share with others. After raising her own children, Mary Therese worked as a teacher’s aide to expand learning for youth after school with improving academics, focusing on crafts and physical exercise. Mary Therese also volunteered at her church with children and reached out to those in need of a cheerful friend. Mary Therese was fierce, intense, fun and passionate about caring for others. Her family was her passion, and she dedicated her life to loving them, often stepping in the gap to make sure that others had a safe haven when in need. Mary Therese lived a life of joy and spread that joy to others in her sharing of books, perfecting cooking meals together, creating family traditions, and celebrating holidays. She took delight and comfort by appreciating the beauty of nature, and was a member of the St. Louis Botanical Gardens attending events there regularly with friends and family. Her grandchildren, family and friends will remember her gift of hospitality and celebrations like making gingerbread houses, making Sukiyaki, ensuring that guests feel welcome and special. Mary Therese supported friends in times of trouble and in times of joy. Mary Therese was eager to lend an ear and she welcomed you with her whole heart.
The bravery and grace of Mary Therese shown through when she was diagnosed with ALS in the fall of 2022. Mary Therese mustered her strength of resiliency and focused on making memories and continuing to spread her love and joy even in the face of this overwhelming struggle. Of course, Mary Therese was no stranger to adversity, and she had lots of practice in mustering her courage and tenacity, as she was the fierce and spirited defender of the Cubs in Cardinals territory. Her wish for each of us is that we know Jesus, we continue with strength and that we embrace every day with anticipation and excitement. Or as this quote says, “Maybe happiness didn’t have to be about the big sweeping circumstances, about having everything in your life in place. Maybe happiness is about stringing together a bunch of small simple joys!”
She was preceded in death by her:
- Father, Timothy Aloysius Murnane
- Sister, Patricia Mary Murnane
Surviving are her:
- Husband, of 50 years, James W. McVicar of Belleville, IL
- Mother, Ann Marie, nee Belt, Murnane of Wheaton, IL
- Children:
- Matthew M. (Michelle) McVicar of St. Jacob, IL
- David J. McVicar of Lebanon, IL
- Dr. Megan A. McVicar (Fiancé, Austin Funcheon) of Ballwin, MO
- Brothers:
- Joseph M. (Kathleen) Murnane of Colorado Springs, CO
- Timothy I. Murnane of West Chicago, IL
- Dr. John Brebeuf (Susan) Murnane of Choteau, MT
- Sisters:
- Dr. Joan M. Murnane (Col. Thomas Rendall) of Leavenworth, KS
- Christine M. (James) Meece of El Paso, TX
- Margaret (Michael) McCarthy of Washougal, WA
- Kathleen (Tim) Morris of Winfield, IL
- Grandchildren:
- Taylor McVicar
- Sean McVicar
- Mary Therese is also a beloved aunt to over a dozen nieces and nephews
Memorials: Memorials may be made to the ALS Society of St. Louis.
Visitation: Visitation from 9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., Friday, November 8, 2024 at St. Matthew Church. 1200 Moreland Dr. in Belleville, IL.
Funeral: Funeral Services will be held at 11:30 a.m., Friday, November 8, 2024 at St. Matthew Church, with Rev. Bob Swickard officiating. Interment will follow at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, MO.
