Alice “Irene” Cordes of Eureka MO died from complications of COVID-19 on November 8, 2020 at the age of 94. Two of her daughters were with her in the hospital at the time she passed, and she got to see her only living son and talk with her close family in the days before she died.
Irene worked as a nurse for almost 60 years, starting off in 1948 preparing to serve in the Nurse Cadet Corps, but WWII ended before she graduated. When she retired, Irene volunteered for Hospice and continued helping others, even after she quit driving at age 90. Her heart and love was most reserved for her five children, who she raised alone after divorcing from a 15 year marriage (in 1964).
Irene is remembered as being a “sunshine lady”; cheerful, resilient, and resourceful. She tried to live Christian morals, and going to church and reading the Bible were very important to her. She also enjoyed needlepoint, solving crossword puzzles, playing organ (which she taught herself), loved doing jigsaw puzzles, and was hard to beat at Scrabble.
Irene Cordes is deeply missed by her surviving children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family, and the many friends she made and countless lives she helped make a little better during her long career as a nurse and very long lifetime of helping others.
Elizabeth Quinn, a WWII military veteran from England who emigrated as a war bride and made St. Louis her home, died of complications from COVID-19 on November 13, 2020 at the age of 94.
According to her obituary, “During WWII, she joined the Women’s Royal Naval Service in 1943 at age 18, serving at Bletchley Park with the codebreakers (without divulging that work to anyone including her family until secrecy was lifted in the 1970’s).” She met her “Yank soldier” John at a dance during the war, married in 1945, and soon after landing in St. Louis she became a U.S. Citizen. They traveled the USA together, and had lots of adventures over their 63 years together.
Elizabeth had a lifelong love of reading, serving as librarian on the first St. Louis County bookmobile in 1948-49 after the birth of her son, and working as a librarian for 35 more years until she retired. In her later years Elizabeth was still an avid reader and used the library’s mobile services, coming very full circle when her photo was placed on the side of a new St. Louis County bookmobile.
She was laid to rest in a private ceremony next to her late husband at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. Elizabeth Quinn is missed deeply by her large and diverse extended family, her many friends, and all those who she helped spark the joy of reading in.
LaVerne A. Schlinkmann died on November 8, 2020 from complications of COVID-19 at St. Mary’s Hospital at the age of 99.
LaVerne was born and raised in St. Louis, and worked as a secretary for the old National Screen Co. and then for many years at Monsanto while she and her late husband raised their two sons. Her favorite things in life were her family and church, with music a close third. LaVerne was a lifelong member of St. Paul United Church of Christ on Giles Avenue where she sang in the choir and played in the bell choir, and also kept active with the Phi Beta sorority, the local Toastmistress Club, and as a volunteer usher for the Fox Theatre.
In her later years LaVerne moved into BJC Extended Care in Clayton, where she kept her mind and body sharp by making friends with the other residents and playing piano to the joy of everyone! Her formative youth being shaped by The Great Depression and as a young adult during World War II, LaVerne was known for her optimism and courage against odds and for her kindness and sweet nature.
LaVerne Schlinkmann is missed deeply by her surviving son and daughter-in-law, a brother, extended family, and the many friends she made in life.
Audrey M. Tonies died of COVID-19 on November 2, 2020 at Dammert Geriatric Care Center in Belleville Illinois at the age of 91. When she died, she was holding her cross and “was surrounded by family at the time of her death both inside and outside as Covid-19 restrictions allow.”
Audrey married her husband Gerard (previously deceased) in 1949 while attending University of Illinois. She raised five children with him while helping to grow his appraisal business. Her favorite holiday was Christmas, which she loved hosting every year (even continuing family celebrations at the Shrine Apartment Community). She’d hoped that COVID-19 would have gotten under control so that she could celebrate with her large family this year.
Audrey Tonies is remembered as being generous, kind, and cheerful. She’s missed deeply by her five adult children, 18 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren, huge extended family and her many friends.
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