Margaret "Margo" Mattingly Kurczewski (nee: Tolliver) did an Irish jig through the gates of Heaven on January 19, 2024, at the age of 85 while at home surrounded by her most valuable treasures – her family.
Margo made her Aries debut in this world on April 19, 1938, when the stork dropped her at Myles and Dortha Ruth (Ford) Tolliver's doorstep in
Springfield, Missouri. She was raised in South Saint Louis where she attended Mullanphy Grade School and Roosevelt High School. She embraced the fun-loving sense of adventure her father passed along to her as she rode streetcars and explored the wonders of Shaw's Garden and Tower Grove Park. Margo's mother taught her to craft creative, resourceful beauty through the art of sewing and hosting. Her sense of family and penchant for antics took root at a young age, including when she'd cause a ruckus in the old Model A with her cherished cousin and sidekick, MaryAnn Tolliver Burkett. Summers were spent on her Grandma Tolliver's farm with her many uncles, aunts, and cousins or camping on the banks of Pomme de Terre with her beloved Auntie Elva and Uncle Colonel (Arnold) Blackwell. As an only child, friends quickly became family. Judy Strickland Thompson can attest to the various roller-skating rinks they frequented, dance floors they wore out, and shenanigans they got into. While family, fun, beauty, and friendship were some of the threads her childhood were woven from, she was also a young adult of great conviction. Margo chose to commit herself to the Catholic faith and was baptized at St. Margaret of Scotland in 1956.
Margo was promoted to "Mom" after marrying Kermit "Butch" Mattingly in 1957 and began a legacy that would both define her and serve as her greatest accomplishment – the family she grew. She is the loving, devoted mother of Deborah Mattingly, Stephen J. (Sharon) Mattingly, Christopher C. (Lenke Osvath) Mattingly, Dianne Mattingly Sherrod (1962 – 2002), and Donna (Eric Petsch) Mattingly. She wore many hats as she raised her family, including steadfast homemaker, Boy Scout den mother, and volunteering with Job's Daughters. She also devoted countless hours to her kid's schools as a crossing guard, playground attendant, PTA volunteer, and dedicated football and band mom. She absolutely loved children – her own and everyone else's – as long as they weren't "little stinkers." As "Mom", Margo never met a stranger and often adopted her kid's friends, treasured neighborhood kids, strays, misfits, and anyone else who simply needed someone with open arms and no judgement about what they looked like or where they came from. Everyone could always count on her late-night wacky cakes, neighborhood Christmas caroling, and smile that felt like a warm hug with a twinkle of mischief in her eyes. She even had the license plate to prove it – "ALL MOM."
Margo attended baker's school in the early 1980s and worked for the main bakery of Schnucks Supermarkets for 18 years. She was a member of Eastern Star and St. Thomas More parish in Bel-Ridge. Growing beautiful flowers, dancing lessons, traveling, finding any reason to celebrate something with her family, and providing both solicited and unsolicited counsel were among her favorite pastimes. She cherished the little moments in life and enjoyed collecting miniature tea sets, mice, and rocks from anywhere she or her family traveled, as her request was always for them to bring her a little piece of where they had been. Margo was drawn to colors as vibrant as her personality and as cheerful as her laughter, and she wore them daily. She could sip the same beer for five hours, and there was never a time in her life when there wasn't time to stop and talk or explore, even when there really wasn't time. In her book, there was nothing more important than family, regardless of how they came to her. In another season of her life, she was the cherished companion of Louis Montgomery (1934 – 2015) with bonus kids Kevin (Glenda) Montgomery and Keith (Sheila) Montgomery and all of their kiddos.
Of all the roles Margo played throughout her life, "Granny" was where her star shined brightest. She is Granny to Jason (Tiffanie) Taylor, Elizabeth (Steven Corrier) Wilcockson, Crystal (Marcia) Mattingly, Samuel Wilcockson, Bruce (Stefanie) Wilcockson, Stephanie (Adam Croom) Shrum, Christopher J. (Carly) Mattingly, Stephen R. Mattingly, Traven (Thomas) Crocker, Emese (Nick Weller) Mattingly, and Tristin Sherrod; and Great-Granny of Taylor, Morgan, Corben, Corynne, Chance, Jasper, August, Easton, Eli, Bryce, and many additional bonus grandkids. As a Granny, she knew when to behave and when to let loose with a preference for the latter. She showed her "boogerbutts" how to love fiercely, and she taught them to always say "I love you" back. She made them oatmeal that could've stopped their hearts as quickly as it warmed them as she puttered around the kitchen listening to KMOX. Granny always smelled like Granny, which, depending on the era, was sweet buttercream icing and powdered donuts, Vicks VapoRub, Ponds cold cream, Louie's cigars, or Anais Anais perfume. She instilled the value of "work hard, play hard" into every single lesson she delivered. Granny brought magic to every holiday, especially St. Patrick's Day, when everyone was family and 100% Irish. She personally trained everyone in the art of green beer drinking, tiny cup toasting, and kissing the family Blarney Stone. There is nothing her grandkids loved more than making her laugh, and they are lucky she sent them out into this world with her feisty little leprechaun gene.
Margo, Mom, Granny, cherished aunt, cousin, and friend lived every day by her Red Hatter philosophy of fun, joy, play, laughter, acceptance, curiosity, friendship, and confidence with a little razzle-dazzle. We can only hope to continue this legacy as she is reunited with her beloved holiday sweaters and loved ones who have gone before her. We will honor her by continuing to go the extra mile for that perfect photo, always standing up for others and what is right, and living the most important lesson she taught us – "family is family, always."
Toodles for now, Granny. We love you.
Friday, February 2, 2024* In place of a visitation, the family welcomes you to drop in and share a toast to Margo at the celebration of life reception.
Catholic Requiem Mass
10:00am – 11:00am
Incarnate Word Parish
13416 Olive Boulevard
Chesterfield, MO 63017
Celebration of Life Reception
11:30am – 2:30pm
Bishop's Post
16125 Chesterfield Pkwy W
Chesterfield, MO 63017
*As she made us promise multiple times throughout the years, there will not be a "damn sad funeral." Please wear a pop of color and come with your favorite stories to share.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Memory and Aging Project at Washington University School of Medicine.