Louise Marvel Essary passed away on May 25, 2020. Louise was born on Sept. 19, 1937, in Poplar Bluff, Mo. She was a proud graduate of Poplar Bluff High School, the place where she made lifelong best friends and met her future husband, Clyde Essary. The two were married on Feb. 8, 1958, and went on to have five children. Although her husband died 18 years ago, she said their love was enough to last a lifetime.
Louise was one of a kind. She was a sports fanatic, cheering on the Portageville Bulldogs and St. Louis Cardinals from the stands or her living room. Encouraged by her father, she was a proud Democrat and was involved in local and state politics in the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s. She was especially proud of her role in keeping Portageville High School safe from consolidation. She was a devout Catholic and member of St. Eustachius Catholic Church for 50 years.
Although her kitchen was always open and we loved many of her recipes, her iced Christmas cookies were her specialty - not because of the ingredients which she was so particular about, but because after cutting and baking many dozens of cookies to perfection, she then let us decorate them to oblivion with icing and sprinkles. This is because her greatest joy was her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, whether natural or acquired, family or friend. Dozens considered her their “Mawmaw.”
Louise was preceded in death by her husband, Clyde Essary; her parents, Bill and Clara Marvel; her siblings, Emily Penn and David Marvel; and her cherished daughter, Teresa West.
She is survived by four sons, Bryan (Pam) Essary, Marty (Patty) Essary, Neil (Judy) Essary and John (Kim) Essary, along with their children and grandchildren, all who loved her very much.
Visitation will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, May 28, at DeLisle Funeral Home, with the funeral service at 11 a.m. at St. Eustachius Catholic Church in Portageville. Burial will be in the Portageville Cemetery.
Memorials are requested to be sent to the St. Eustachius Catholic school and the Portageville Bulldog Foundation.