Mary Ellen Colaw, 94, of St. Charles, Missouri, passed away on April 17, 2023, after a brief illness. Mary was born on November 6, 1928, to Edna and Joseph Gunzelman in Emporia, Kansas. She graduated from Emporia High School and attended the College of Emporia and Emporia State University earning BA and MA degrees. She was a member of the St. Charles Presbyterian Church. She loved to work in her garden, play golf, play cards, especially bridge, travel the world, and root for the Cardinals and Jayhawks.
Mary spent most of her teaching career as a High School Guidance Counselor at Washburn Rural (Topeka), Parkway Central, and retired from Parkway North.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Edna and Joseph Gunzelman, her brother Joe, sister Imogene, and granddaughter Cassandra. Mary is survived by her sons, Frank (Sue) Colaw and John Colaw; her grandchildren, Cara (Adam) Giovani and Kenny Colaw; and her great grandchildren, Sawyer, Reagan, and Addison Giovani.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mary's name to St. Charles Presbyterian Church Building Fund.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
3950 W Clay Street, Saint Charles, MO 63301
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