Therese Pierce

Therese B. Pierce, 76, of Cape Girardeau, passed away Monday, October 13, 2008 surrounded by her loving husband and family at her home. She was born July 17, 1932, in East St. Louis, Ill., daughter of Dan Carroll and Ella (Hagene) Carroll Costello. She was later adopted by Dan Costello. Therese attended St. Joseph Catholic Grade School and later graduated from St. Therese Academy in 1950. On August 12, 1950 she married Victor L. Pierce in East St. Louis, Ill. She worked as a cook at Southeast Missouri State University in Towers Cafeteria, Child's IGA bakery department, and the cafeteria of St. Vincent De Paul Grade School. For 12 years, Therese was the secretary at St. Vincent De Paul Parish in Cape Girardeau, where she was a dedicated church member for over 50 years and an active member of its Women's Council. Along with her husband, Victor, she was deeply involved in the Marriage Encounter Movement, serving as an Executive Couple. In 1995 she initiated the "Ugly Quilt" program at St. Vincent De Paul Parish, providing hand-made sleeping bags and toiletries for the homeless in Cape Girardeau and the surrounding area. Therese was a volunteer at Birthright for 25 years as well as donating her time for 2 years at the Lutheran Home. She combined her love of crafting with her dedication to helping the needy by crocheting baby caps for the nursery at Southeast Hospital, sewing lap robes for the elderly at local nursing homes, crocheting baby afghans and donating them to Birthright, collecting white elephant gifts for bingo at local nursing homes, and putting together gift baskets for many charity auctions. Therese was also involved in her community as a Den Mother for the St. Vincent De Paul School Cub Scout pack during the 1950's. In recent years, she volunteered her time as a judge for the Cape Girardeau County election board for primary, general, and special elections. As a two-time cancer survivor, she participated in and supported the We Can Cancer Program affiliated with Southeast Missouri Hospital. Survivors include her husband Victor L. Pierce, her four children, sons Michael (Bonnie) Pierce and Steve (Sherri) Pierce both of Cape Girardeau, daughters, Patti (Kevin) Wetzel of Grain Valley, Mo., and Barbara (Scott) Slinkard of Millersville, Mo.; 13 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Friends may call Wednesday, October 15, 2008 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Ford & Sons Mt. Auburn Funeral Home with parish prayers at 7:45 pm followed by the rosary. Funeral Mass will be held Thursday, October 16, 2008 at St. Vincent De Paul Catholic Church at 10:00 am with the Rev. Patrick McDevitt, C.M. presiding. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery in Cape Girardeau. At her request, the family is asking that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to either Birthright, the American Cancer Society, or Southeast Hospice.

Tributes

Therese Pierce

October 13, 2008