Angela Theresa Breidenbach, 95, died peacefully on Thursday, July 26, 2018, at Dammert Care Center, Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, Belleville, IL. Vibrant and energetic to the end, Angie lived a full life of home making, business, and volunteering. Throughout she was dedicated to her family, her friends, and service to her community, and most of all her Catholic faith.
A lifelong resident of Belleville, IL, Angela attended Cathedral grade school and Visitation Academy in St. Louis. While attending Washington University School of Art, WWII began, and Angela chose to leave school to work at Scott Air Force Base in support of the war.
In 1952, she married George C. Breidenbach and they had five children. After her husband’s death in 1975, Angela showed great courage and determination in raising her children alone. She became a true matriarch of a large and growing family.
Her business endeavors began in 1946 when she and her two brothers (Ted and Joe Gundlach) began the J.M.J Products Co. The company grew to become J.M.J. Industries. Leaving to raise a family, she continued to serve on the company’s board for over 25 years. After the family business was sold, she served on numerous boards including, St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, the Okaw Valley Council Boy Scouts of America, Samuel Cupples House Foundation of St. Louis University, St. Louis University Women’s Council, Our Lady of Snows Shrine, and Meredith Retirement Home. In addition, she served on numerous committees and boards of Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, her parish for over 50 years.
She was an active member of the Rotary Club of St. Clair County West since 1992. She cherished her association with Rotary not only for its service to community but also because of the lifelong friends she gained and people she met through the organization. Angie was also a member and past president of the Women’s Club of Belleville.
A lifelong lover of the arts, Angie enjoyed sketching and painting, visiting museums and the theatre. From a little girl on, she always had a dog and cherished their companionship. She also enjoyed traveling the globe with friends old and new. Angie was always game for an outing and savored bringing friends together for a glass of wine or dinner at the newest restaurant. Her toasts were memorable and always at the ready. One of her favorites and ours was… “Here’s to all us good people, there’s so few of us left!”
She is survived by her children, Ted Breidenbach of Bettendorf, IA, Nina Hollabaugh (Marc) of Kansas City, MO, Lisa Kennedy (John) of Cedar Hill, TX, Peggy Breidenbach (Greg Wahle) of Indianapolis, IN, and Mary Breidenbach (Steve Paddack) of Indianapolis, IN; 10 grandchildren; and 4 great-grandchildren.
We are grateful for the loving care given to her by Margaret Lehr, everyone at the Shrine’s Apartment Community, the nurses of Memorial Hospital, and the caregivers of Hospice of Southern Illinois.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Angie’s memory may be made to: The Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, Visitation Academy, Belleville Area Humane Society, and Rotary International. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may visit from 10:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Saturday, August 4, 2018, at Our Lady of the Snows Shrine Apartment Community Chapel, Belleville, IL.
Funeral: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:15 a.m. Saturday, August 4, 2018, at Our Lady of the Snows Shrine Apartment Community (The Esquiline) Chapel, Belleville, IL, with Father Joseph Ferraioli, OMI, officiating.
Burial will be at Green Mount Catholic Cemetery, Belleville, IL.