Mary Katherine Agniel was born on 8-3-83, a date forever seared in the minds of the many teachers, assistants, coaches, and collaborators that she would charm over 41 rich years.
A proud graduate of Southview School, Mary Kate was the recipient of countless awards, trophies, and honors. If we were to sum up her expertise and life-commitments in academic terms, it might sound like this: an Associate’s in blowing bubbles, making grocery lists, and coloring pictures. A Bachelor’s in music with a concentration in country, boy bands, and 1940s crooners. She held a certificate in post-structuralist film criticism. Her style was to shout obscenities at villains. For Mary Kate, there was no fourth wall, only life imitating art. Her Master’s was in dealing from the bottom–she holds records in several states for her conquests in the game of War. Her doctoral studies were in Zoology, with a particular interest (obsession?) in the St. Louis Zoo’s penguins.
Mary Kate housed a towering array of stuffed animals, (do note that the Zoo gift store abuts the penguin exhibit, and she was frequently spotted at many local Build-a-Bears). She doted on her “babies,” as she called them: Albert, Jonathan, Andy, Peter 1, Stitch, Peter 2… often lovingly worn across her front in a baby wrap (a life-long devotee of attachment parenting). She was willing to exercise tough love as needed to keep them in line.
Mary Kate passed away on November 26th, 2024 in the bosom of Christ and the comfort of her parents’ home. She is survived by the members of her St. James House L’Arche St. Louis community: Richard Calcatarra, Edward Stoller, and Giovanni Komyatte—and house leaders Kristin Long and Adam Witzig; her parents, Ted and Donna (nee Molloy) Agniel, her siblings Sean (Susan) Agniel, Anna Marie Agniel, and Denis (Rachel Garrett) Agniel, her beloved nieces and nephews: Theo, Mia, Harry, and Louie Agniel; Sean, Audrey, and Frankie Bushlack; and Carl and Winnie Agniel; she leaves behind a volatile history with various family pets. She may be most greatly mourned by several local McDonald’s franchises and every Target in the region. She is predeceased by her grandparents Bud and Anna Leah Agniel and Tom and Agnes Molloy, her aunts Jeanne Allard and Katherine Molloy, her uncle Jim Agniel, and her niece Grace Qualls Agniel.
Mary Kate’s brain has been donated to the Autism Brain Network. She will receive a green burial (immediate family only) at Resurrection Cemetery in a coffin built by the monks of New Melleray Abbey. All are welcome to join the family for a wake (of sorts) on Sunday, December 8th in the Ballroom of College Church–doors at 5:00 p.m, last call at 7:45 p.m. Beer, wine, and provisions compliments of Mary Kate (herself). A Mass on the feast of the Immaculate Conception will be offered for Mary Kate at St. Francis Xavier “College” Church at 10:00am, Monday, December 9th (yes, it counts!). Lunch reception to follow downstairs in the Ballroom–all are welcome. Parking for College Church is available in the SLU garage off Laclede Ave.
Memorial contributions to L’Arche St. Louis are welcome, of course. The compassionate reader might also consider becoming personally acquainted with L’Arche St. Louis. All are encouraged to discover the spirituality of L’Arche through the writings of Henri Nouwen. In lieu of flowers, join L’Arche St. Louis for a “community night.” Who knows, you might come to appreciate the power and genius of Mary Kate through those with whom she shared her home and her life.
Our deepest sympathies & Respect for the family. With love & peace from the Kansas City Grilliots. May the angels greet her and May perpetual light shine upon her.
My deepest sympathies to everyone who knew Mary Kate. Continuing prayers for family and friends.
Sixteen years ago, Mary Kate helped her beautiful family host our new family for Thanksgiving—the first for our oldest son. He was too little to remember Mary Kate’s attentions, but we will always be grateful for her wide-open love and all the goodness she brought out in her community. May God comfort them, welcome Mary Kate into the reward of a faithful disciple, and reunite us all in the great Thanksgiving.
The Saint Francis Xavier (College) Church Community will miss Mary Kate’s enthusiastic and joyful participation in Sunday Mass. We were blessed to be aware of her presence.
My life, especially my formative years do not exist without Mary Kate. Even into adulthood, one of the first things that comes to mind about her is 8-3-83, a date I can recall and rattle off quicker than my own brother’s birth date. I can also hear the tone of her uttering the name of any one of her siblings that implied more than slightly, they might be in trouble, but she would grace them and all of us within earshot with the wisdom she would share in that moment to make them and all of us a better person. The fact that I got to be a small side character in the main character life story that was Mary Kate’s is an invaluable gift. She is a legend in my life, who will continue to shape me, cheers to Mary Kate!
May her memory continue to be a blessing to all of you
Unbelievable the number of lives Mary Kate touched and moved! And such a gifted scholar of wonder! In gratitude, we offer thanksgiving for a unique life well-lived. While our Lord welcomes Mary Kate into the Kingdom, may he also grant you peace, comfort, wisdom, and joy.
I can speak for so many of us at the Arc when I say we were all so very grateful & blessed to know Mary Kate. The life long lessons she has instilled in us all will forever be cherished. My deepest sympathies to her family, friends, and all of those she has impacted over the years.
Praying for all during this difficult time.
I will remember all the smiles and enthusiasm whenever I saw Mary Kate. And I remember the joy, laughter and adoring looks from Sean and Anna whenever they were all together. Mary Kate is a beautiful soul and always will be.
My deepest sympathy to Ted and Donna, family members’ and anyone else that was touched by Mary Kate love for others. Mary Kate was my dancing partner at Larche. I bet she is dancing with joy as she meets her loving God!
I knew Mary Kate through regional L’Arche events (I worked for many years at L’Arche Heartland with Mary Kate’s friend Lance). Praying for her family and community and all who love her.
I had the pleasure of working with Mary Kate at Arc day program over many years, she was always a joy to hang with. She would always tell me about her nieces and nephews but she loved to speak about Winnie and Carl. Her beautiful smile, great personality, and beautiful blue eyes will truly be missed. I love you Mary Kate and I’m sure your babies will be taken great care of.
I was only privileged to know Mary Kate briefly on a Community Night at L’arche where my daughter, Madi, invited me. We got to decorate a table covering together. I hold Mary Kate’s smile as a souvenir of a beautiful gift and pray God’s mercy and strength over her many loved ones.
Mary Kate and Lance – 19 years -an unusual friendship from Kansas City to St. Louis. Such a sweet connection. Our hearts are broken right now. We are surrounding Ted and Donna and the family with love and peace. Mary Kate will always be in our hearts.
Knowing Mary Kate was a true gift in our lives and we will treasure that always. Indirectly, Mary Kate was our introduction to L’Arche and to this rich community which we treasure also. Our hearts are sad for Donna and Ted and her family and friends. Peace, love and hope be with all.
I can’t imagine how hard this is for you, and I’m sending you all my strength and love. Mary Kate was a beautiful person and is surely in Jesus’s arms. I will miss seeing her at the Faith and Light meetings. Her smile lit up the room.
Mary Kate will be missed by many but her spirit lives on. Thanks, Mary Kate!
Deepest condolences to the Agniel family on the loss of Mary Kate. I saw her siblings, nieces and nephews dote on her whenever she was at Mass at SMOS. She was always smiling and am certain that was because she knew she was truly loved. Kudos to the collective Agniel genius who wrote the best obituary I have ever read.
Much Love, The Morans
Kudos to Sean, Anna, and Denis Agniel on writing the obituary. Best I’ve ever read too!
Oh Mary Kate! What a firecracker! She had all the boys at the Arc Dances, especially two in particular who did not leave her side. I will miss you dearly Mary Kate and the contagious smile and energy that surrounded you at every Arc event. Happy Journey on your new Adventure! Rhonda Hembree and the Leisure Team!
Mary Kate was loved and leaves many good memories. We will miss the sunshine she spread through song and dance and just her presence at Saint James House. Prayers for her family and her L’Arche family. Peace,
Jim and Lois
Dear Ted, Donna & family,
My prayers are with you in all ways and all days to come! Truly her’s is a life well lived! She loved many and touched the lives of countless people!