Marie L. Witscher, age 100, fortified with the Sacraments of Holy Mother Church, passed away on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, in St. Louis, Missouri, after a one-month illness. Marie was born in Racine, WI on November 12, 1924, the eldest of five. She met her husband, Hubert Witscher, at the University of Wisconsin and they married in 1944. After moving to St. Louis in 1954, Marie taught at St. Elizabeth of Hungary and Immacolata grade schools and then moved to Community School in Ladue, where she taught for 32 years. Marie truly enjoyed teaching, especially engaging her students in mental math games. She loved reading aloud to her class, stopping for the day right at the cliffhanger, leaving the children clamoring for more. She continued her love of teaching at home, teaching each of her five grandchildren and great-grands to cook and bake. Marie was a terrific cook and baker; she was especially well-loved for her specialty Christmas cookies. Each year, she brought an enormous tray filled with an array of miniature handmade cookies to school for all to share. Friends vied to "get on the list" to receive a small personal plate of cookies! Marie loved to entertain guests; she and Hugh hosted many dinner parties over the years. It was rare that anyone turned down an invitation. Marie was a true and loyal friend, always taking a meal to a neighbor in need, doing a favor for a friend, or writing congratulatory notes to former students for an award they had received or a graduation from high school or college. Many former students were surprised as adults to receive a sympathy note on the death of a parent from their fifth-grade teacher.

Marie was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Hubert, and siblings Rose, Jerome. and Frank. She is survived by her sister, Jean Karls of Greendale, WI, her daughters, Kathleen Armstrong (Edward) and Ellen Trovillion (Carr), and grandchildren Emily Armstrong of CT, Allison Armstrong, Caroline Gray (Brad), Drew Trovillion of CA and Tim Trovillion (Melanie) of CA. She had 7 great-grandchildren: Quillan and Rosie Oberto of CT, Luca Armstrong, Wallace and Hogan Gray, and Astor and Peter Trovillion of CA. She was a loving sister-in-law, aunt, cousin, and friend to many. Many who sent congratulatory 100th birthday cards said she was an inspiration to them, and some, who are teachers, hoped to emulate the love of learning she gave them in their own classrooms.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Rama Suresh for her unending support and loving care over the years and Dr. Hana Tepper for her care, encouragement and sense of humor.

Visitation Tues., Dec. 3 from 9-10 AM, will precede a Funeral mass at 10AM at St. Anselm Catholic Church, 530 S. Mason Rd. Interment private.
Memorials can be made to Community School, 900 Lay Road, St. Louis, MO 63124 or to Siteman Cancer Center, MSC1082-414-2555, 1 Brookings Dr., St. Louis, MO 63130 or online at siteman.wustl.edu/tribute in memory of Marie L. Witscher.

Ortmann Stipanovich Funeral Home    www.osfuneralhomes.com