Mary Elizabeth Jenkins

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Mary Elizabeth Jenkins, nee Lange, 77, of Belleville, IL, born July 19, 1941, in Alexandria, LA, died Tuesday, April 2, 2019, at the Dammert Geriatric Center, Belleville, IL.

Ms. Jenkins was a graduate of Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO.  She was a grade school teacher and later was a co-owner and founder of Kids Again, a clothing consignment store in Alexandria, VA. She later worked at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C.  After taking time off to tour the county in an RV, she moved to Fort Myers, FL, and worked for the Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce.  Upon moving back to Belleville, she was once again reunited with her life-long friends.  She became a member of PEO International, an organization of women helping women.  Mary enjoyed traveling, history, reading and watching the St Louis Cardinals.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Dr. Howard and Loretta, nee Schmitz, Lange; and a brother, Fredrich Lange.

Surviving are her son, Sean Reilly;
one daughter-in-law, Arienne Reilly;
two grandchildren, Evan and Lange Reilly;
one sister, Delores Diekemper of Richmond, VA;
three nieces, Lisa Crank, Anne Boyd, and Mary Payne;
two nephews, Jim Diekemper and Greg Lange;
and dear friends.

Special thanks are given for the compassionate and comforting care provided by the staff at the Dammert Center.

Memorials may be made to the Belleville Area Humane Society, to the Mary Jean Dinges Memorial Scholarship Fund, or to Heartland Hospice. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.

Funeral:  Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 6, 2019, at the High Rise Activity Center of The Esquiline, on the grounds of the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, Belleville, IL.

Burial will be at Mount Carmel Catholic Cemetery, Belleville, IL.

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5 Comments on Mary Elizabeth Jenkins

Peggi Merrill said : Guest Report Jul 08, 2020 at 9:47 PM

We just found out that Marybeth passed away. We lost touch several years ago. We met in Alexandria VA in 1972. Our sons were good friends. She was a lovely friend . May she Rest In Peace. Sending our deepest sympathy to her family. Peggi and Jim Merrill

  • Brentwood
  • CA 94513
Don & Marilyn Huber said : Guest Report Apr 04, 2019 at 5:43 PM

Dee and Family, so sorry not to be able to express our sympathies in person, but we are out here with Don's daughter and family. We saw Mary Beth many times at the Shrine and were able to visit and check up on you. She seemed very good and happy to have been back in Belleville. Now she is in perfect peace. Love to all.

  • Paradise Valley
  • AZ
Charlie and Gail McKeon said : Guest Report Apr 04, 2019 at 10:42 AM

Goodbye MaryBeth. Thanks for the memories.....God rest your soul...

  • Fairfax
  • Va.
Mary Ellen Vieth said : Guest Report Apr 03, 2019 at 10:08 PM

I am thinking about all the times we had together. Maryville, St. Louis U., Europe, teaching and all we shared. You will always be close to my heart. Love, Meg

  • Evansville
  • IN
Mary Ellen Vieth said : Guest Report Apr 03, 2019 at 10:01 PM

I often think of all the good times we shared in college, Europe, in DC and all we shared. I think about you often and you will always be be close to my heart. Love, Meg Vieth

  • Evansville,
  • IN

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