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Sean McDermott Obituary

McDermott, Sean P. asleep in Jesus, Wed., Oct. 22, 2008. Beloved husband of Linda McDermott (nee Rossiger); dear son of Shirley (the late Fred) McDermott; dear father of Andrew and Brenna McDermott; stepfather of Shelley Spells and Wendy Hayes; grandfather of Celina and Dominic Spells; brother of Terry McDermott and Maureen (Vince Godfrey) McDermott; dear nephew, uncle, cousin and friend.Services:Visitation at KUTIS SOUTH COUNTY Chapel, 5255 Lemay Ferry Rd. (at Butler Hill), on Fri., Oct. 24, 3-8 p.m. then to St. John's Lutheran Church Arnold, Sat., Oct. 25 for visitation from 9:30 a.m. until time of service at 10:30 a.m. Interment St. John's Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations to St. John's Lutheran School Science Department appreciated.


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Published by St. Louis Post-Dispatch from Oct. 23 to Oct. 25, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Sean McDermott

Not sure what to say?





Rusty Adrian

November 3, 2008

Terry,
I am sorry for the loss of your brother Sean but the memories that were made in Kirksville will always be in our hearts. Our thoughts and prayers will be with you and your family.

Sue Huelsing

October 28, 2008

My prayers are with Brenna and her family. I did not know Sean very well, but he left behind a daughter who is a wonderful woman and I know he had to be proud. Brenna - I pray for your peace and keep the good times with your dad in your heart.

Julie (Meyer) Dibble

October 27, 2008

My prayers are with Sean as well as Brenna, Andy, Linda and his entire family. Sean was a great person who taught me everything he knew about coaching softball. I also learned many things about being a great teacher and a great parent. Sean brightened the lives of many students and he will treasured and remembered lovingly by many, especially myself.

Libby Wyatt (nee Kelly)

October 26, 2008

I feel lucky to have had the chance to learn from Sean--I was a student of his at Notre Dame High School in the 90's. He was always kind, funny, brilliant--all the things a high schooler needs to be inspired by a teacher. He will be missed.

Mary and Mike Wiesehan

October 25, 2008

Linda,
I've read through all these entries and what a legacy to leave! We're so very proud (and immensley blessed) to have known such a caring, warm and generous man. We will sure miss him. But someday we'll all be able to see him again and that gives us great joy!
God's blessings,
Mary and Mike Wiesehan

J Carr

October 25, 2008

Growing up in Ferguson on Clearfield Dr, Sean & I hung-out for a while in grade school.

Some of the older cats in the neighborhood started showing me "hot licks" on their guitars & I made an attempt to start my first band with none other than Sean.

I remember the McDemott family being well liked & respected.

God Bless,

Bethany (Basler) Scofield

October 24, 2008

"Boys are bad"&"Hey Kid"and "You clean up well" all things I can remember like he said yesterday. McD gave me so much good advise through the years. Mr. McDermott was the the best teacher I ever had. He made Anatomy and Physiology so much fun, and it is because of him that I got my degree in Biology, specifically taking a job in Pathology. I hope he knows that. He was a true inspiration to me. Mr. McDermott was also a very good softball coach and he will be in my heart forever.

Rod Rawlings

October 24, 2008

Dear Terry and All Brothers of AKL,
What a tremendous person Sean was, someone I was truly proud to call my brother.
The memories back in K'ville are still precious to me. In the fall of 75 I was in Meyers and Elfranks room talking about the cool rush parties but the three of us had decided not to pledge any frat. Sean came to that room in Dobson Hall and there was no turning back. He marched us over to sign AKL and the rest is history. Its ironic that I had just told that story to my son Tyler who needed to recruit a big quality class for his Phi Delt Fraternity at the University of North Dakota. So Sean continues to inspire, motivate, and now guide us from above.

Michelle Baldwin

October 24, 2008

Mr. McDermott was a monumental person in my life. He was always singing some crazy made up song, out of tune, but the songs always rhymed! Often he would tell us to be patient with him; he only had half a brain! He always had a great sence of humor and a huge heart. He was also a great writer, although he didn't often share that. He always had the time to listen and advise and make all of us crazy teenage girls know that it was all going to be okay. He always told us to stay off the "rollercoaster" of emotions, to keep things steady and smooth. He always told us to stay out of trouble and stay away from boys. When he didn't know what else to tell us, he told us to pray. He was inspirational. Without him, I would not be who I am today. There are no words to express my love for him and the sadness that the world is feeling over losing him. If I am half the teacher he was, I will consider myself a great success.

Andrea Snyder (Kraus)

October 24, 2008

The passing of Mr. McD is a great loss to all of us. He was my freshman advisor at Notre Dame and I took any class with him I could. He was a great teacher and mentor. He will be missed greatly.

Class of 1997

Ricky Luebbert

October 24, 2008

Shirley, Maureen, Terry and Extended Family,
Wish I could be there and give you all a hug and kiss-
Sean was always an inspiration to all who crossed his path- Peace and Love to you all !

Rob Harvath

October 24, 2008

Growing up on Meadowcrest Drive, Sean was always good to me. To me Sean was Maureen's oldest brother. Someone who always found the best in any situation. He could motivate you with only a few words and a playful wink.

I did not know Sean in his adult years. He must have been an amazing teacher given the outpouring of affection he has received in this guest book.

To all of Sean's family and friends, especially Maureen, Terry and Sean's mother, my thoughts and prayers are with you. Take solace that Sean touched so many lives and made a difference in his time here on earth. At the time of our passing, wouldn't we want the same said of us?

Godspeed, Sean McDermott.

Joseph Diaz

October 24, 2008

I am very sorry about your loss he was a very good man. I knew him before he one of my teachers at Hancock i live across from Notre Dame and i use to help with basketball and softball and me and his daughter used slid down the hill on cardboard boxes and he would yell you guys are gonna get hit by a ball I could write forever but i won't like I said my thoughts and prayers go out to the whole family

Maria Bayless (Mertz)

October 24, 2008

My thoughts and prayers go out to the McDermott family.

I have so many fond memories of science class with Sean at Notre Dame High School. And not only was a great teacher, but I know he was a wonderful father and grandfather.

Chelsea McDermott

October 24, 2008

What an amazing man. He was my uncle and he will always hold a place in my heart. When I was a baby I hated men. Every time a man would walk in the room or try and hold me I would ball my little eyes out. For some reason, he was the only man that could walk right up to me and pick me up. I would even go to him. I think I just sensed his goodness, even at such a young age. He had such an amazing heart, and he just projected that onto other people. I miss him so much but I know he is in better place. I will love him forever and always.

RIP Uncle Sean. I love you!

Christy (Olive) Anderson (ND Class of 1995)

October 24, 2008

Dear McDermott Family,
My thoughts and prayers are with your family in this time of great loss. Mr. McDermott was my Science teacher at NDHS. He was not only an exceptional teacher, but also an extraordinary person. He knew how to challenge me, encourage me, and how to make me laugh. He influenced my life in such a postive way. There is always that one special teacher in a student's life, one that makes such an impact, one that is so significant and inspirational that the student never forgets. Mr McDermott was that teacher to me. I will remember the encouragement he gave me and all of the laughs we shared. He will be greatly missed as he was truly a special person who touched so many lives.

Terry Mcdermott

October 24, 2008

Sean & i had a special musical bond from feb.9th,1964,sitting in our living room with both our parents&about to embark on this 45 yr.obsession with rock&roll.Sean & i had no idea what we were about to witness on Ed Sullivan's show,but it would forever change our lives and connected Sean & i musically @ the hip for the next 45yrs.To my knowledge,Sean hated only one person in his lifetime,"Yoko Ono".Most kids in the sixties had athletes & actors as there idols,John Lennon was our god & he continues to be my source of inspiration as a musician.We lost John on Tues.12-09-80& we were devastated.Sean was responsible for this wonderful addiction in my veins called rock & roll and now both of my idols are side by side,"imagine that".Rock on my brothers!

Krissy Shoults

October 23, 2008

I'm deeply sorry for your lost. Mr. McDermott or McD as a lot of us called him was someone we could look to for answers and was an amazing teacher. I took a class just because I thought he was going to teach it! I'll never forget him telling me that "boys are bad" and seeing pictures of him all over the hallway with this message. If he didn't have an answer for something I was struggling with he would hand me the bible and tell me all my answers were right there. What an amazing man. I hope all the memories will make you smile and let you know just how much everyone enjoyed talking with him!

Laura Sokolik

October 23, 2008

Dear McDermott Family,
Mr. McDermott will be missed! I offer my condolences. He saved me my senior year at Notre Dame High School, he got me through Anantomy & Physiology. He even let me take my tests in an appointment with him because I'd get so nervous. He was my favorite, and I have many great memories of his courses. And the AIDS video we created! He made you want to learn. Take care, Laura (Schrader) Sokolik, ND Class of 1995.

Anne McCormack

October 23, 2008

I worked with Sean when he taught at St. Joe. He enjoyed being with kids, and they always responded. It was fun to go to school!
He helped us out when we couldn't get male leads for the plays--he took the part of Rooster in the musical Annie, and Mortimer in Arsenic & Old Lace. Possibly his best-remembered role was Bruce Springsteen in the Mission Day show! He had so much energy and a great laugh. To all his family, I'm sorry for your loss.

Jeannie Burke(Saunchegrow)

October 23, 2008

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. Mr. McDermott was an amazing man. He taught me all there was to learn both in the classroom and on the softball field. He was a true inspiration! His memory will not be forgotten.

Hancock High School
Class of 2003

Diane Vancil

October 23, 2008

Maureen, SHirley and Terry, my heart just breaks for all of you - Sean was such a strong person and survived when the Drs didn't think so long ago, I know he was such a special friend to Quinn growing up. Maureen you are a strong person too and some how you will get thru the next few days- you and Terry take care of your Mom- remember you all have alot of friends around me- let them in and let them help you

My heart is with you

Take care

Dan Ochoa

October 23, 2008

My condolences and thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Mr. McDermott. He was a really good teacher and an even better man. Again, my sympathies. He will be missed.

Notre Dame High School

October 23, 2008

Please know that the entire Notre Dame High School family is mourning with you during this time. Sean was truly and inspiration to his students. His love for science and teaching was visible and it was very encouraging to his student and the faculty at ND. We hope that laughter will soon return to your family, as we will always remember the humor that Sean brought to this school. You will remain in the thoughts and prayers of the high school community.

with love,
The Entire Notre Dame High School Community

Mike Benz

October 23, 2008

My prayers and condolences to your family, be comforted to know that he is at peace now and in the arms of the Lord.

Jocelyn Mann-Boehlje

October 23, 2008

To the McDermott family: I hope you received my letter in time to read it to Sean. A light has gone out in the world with his passing. I'm sure he's up there in the stars he loved so much. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Jaime Gast (Horn)

October 23, 2008

I was a student at Notre Dame HS and got to know McD well. Mr. McDermott was an amazing teacher and softball coach. He made learning about something as difficult as A & P interesting and fun. Please accept my deepest sympathy for the loss of such a great person, I will always remember him smiling.

Tara McLafferty

October 23, 2008

Mr. McDermott was one of my favorite teachers at Hancock, and his memory will stay in my heart.

Lindsay Freels

October 23, 2008

Dear Linda and Family,

I just wanted to express my thoughts and feelings to you regarding Mr. McDermott. It seems so strange to call him Mr. now as an adult but I respected him very much as my teacher but also as a human being. During my years at Notre Dame I spent a lot of time in Mr. McDermott's classes and classroom. I think this was because he made me feel brilliant. He seemed to really celebrate learning and wanted us to know how important that was to him and should be to us. I carry that with me now and continue to pass that on to my children.
The thing that i remember most about him is kind of funny. I did not get into my college of choice senior year, and that college happened to be Mr. McDermott's alma mater. He could see my devestation and quickly drafted a letter of reccomendation and encouraged me to appeal the decision. In that letter he wrote that I was "dogmatic" and I had no idea what that meant. I went to him and said "What does that mean?" and he laughed and said "Well, if it describes you you should KNOW what it means...look it up!" I think honestly that was the beginning of my love of language and words and the power behind them. I have been so fortunate to have Mr. McDermott in my life. I have spent the past few days thinking about him and without a doubt he needed two lifetimes to contribute all that he could contribute to this world. Thank you for sharing him with us and he will be truly missed and thought of fondly.

Thomas P. McDermott

October 23, 2008

My cousin, Sean. Sorry to see you go so soon. Godspeed, Sean. Godspeed.

Oh, all the comrades that e'er I've had, they are sorry for my going away,
And all the sweethearts that e'er I've had, they would wish me one more day to stay,
But since it falls unto my lot that I should rise and you should not,
I'll gently rise and I'll softly call, “Good night and joy be with you all.”
From “The Parting Glass” Traditional

Richard Kassebaum

October 23, 2008

Linda and family
Please accept our sympathy at the passing of Sean into his Eternal home. We always thought so much of both of you and the life you live
for your Savior.We can be sure he is resting in his Heavenly Home, now and forever. Reas assured our Savior is with you and will give you the necessary strength to sustain and comfort you.We love you and are with you in your trials.
Rusty and Vi Kassebaum

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