Mary Degonia

1942 - 2025

Mary Ann Degonia, age 83, passed away peacefully on October 3, 2025, at her residence at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, Belleville, IL, with her sister, Patty, at her side. Mary Ann was born in Mineral Point, MO, to the late John B. and Stella Degonia. She is survived by her brothers John ( Sharon ) and Thomas ( Sue ), and sister, Patty Degonia. She is also survived by nephews Thomas ( Betsy ) Degonia, John Paul ( Kim ) Degonia, Louie ( Elsa ) Degonia, and niece Darcy ( Lloyd ) Bowen.

Mary Ann lived her entire adult life in North St. Louis County. Changes in her health caused Mary Ann and her sister Patty to move to the Benedictine Community at the Shrine last year. Patty has been a loving and devoted caregiver to Mary Ann during this difficult time. Mary Ann spent her professional life as a Medical Technologist in the Microbiology Lab at St. Louis University Hospital. She earned her degree from St. Louis University while also working full-time.

Mary Ann's sharp wit, sense of humor, and many and varied hobbies made her the life of any gathering and a treasured friend. She spent years restoring a Morgan Plus-4 Roadster. She held season tickets to the SLU Men's Basketball Billikens for forty years. She enjoyed playing golf with the "golf girls." She was a very social person, frequently the organizer of fun times, such as St. Louis Cardinals Opening Day tickets for coworkers at SLU's Lab. Her loss leaves a void for all of us, but many wonderful memories and shared laughter.

There will be a Mass in her memory on October 20, 2025, at 11:15 A.M. in the chapel at the Benedictine Living Community at the Shrine. A celebration luncheon will follow Mass. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: St. Louis University, DuBourg Hall, Rm. 319, 221 N. Grand, St. Louis, MO, 63103, Attn: Biomedical Laboratory Science Gift Fund. A private family burial will take place at a later time.