11/11/46- 4/30/2020
I HAVE WRITTEN MY OWN OBITUARY FOR MY 15 SECONDS OF FAME. I HAVE WRITTEN ABOUT THE THINGS THAT WERE IMPORTANT TO ME IN MY LIFE. ABOVE ALL, I ADORE MY FAMILY. THEY HAVE BEEN SO GOOD TO ME. I AM SO LUCKY. ALL MY LIFE I HAVE TRIED TO EMULATE MY MOTHER, WHO WAS PATIENT, KIND AND SO LOVING. I HOPE I DID A GOOD JOB FOR I KNOW THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE IN HEAVEN. I’M SURE SOME SPACE COULD BE FOR ME.
DAUGHTER OF THE LATE ROWENA AND ALLEN BAER,LOVING WIFE OF GARY BRAKE, BELOVED MOTHER OF KIMBERLY JONES AND ALLEN (JENNI) BRAKE. NIECE OF NANCY MESCHER, SISTER OF THE LATE BOB (ROSE) BAER OF BOSTON AND KATHY (DAE) LYONS. SISTER-IN-LAW OF TERRY (JEANIE) BRAKE OF WEBB CITY MISSOURI. LOVING GRANDMOTHER OF JORDAN JONES, AND DOMINIC, HANNAH AND GRAYSON BRAKE.
MARY ATTENDED BISHOP DuBOURG HIGH SCHOOL WHERE SHE PLAYED VIOLIN AND WAS PRESIDENT OF THE PEP CLUB. SHE THEN ATTENDED MERAMEC JUNIOR COLLEGE, AND TRANSFERRED TO UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI IN COLUMBIA MISSOURI, STUDYING FINANCE. WHILE AT MIZZOU SHE WAS SELECTED TO BE A MEMBER OF ANGEL FLIGHT. AS A MEMBER SHE CONDUCTED TOURS OF CAMPUS, HOSTED TEAS FOR VISITING DIGNITARIES, HELPED WITH BLOOD DRIVES, USHERED AT HOME FOOTBALL GAMES, AND TOOK TICKETS AT HOME BASKETBALL GAMES.
SHE WORKED FOR MANY YEARS AT DUN & BRADSTREET AS AN OUTSIDE CREDIT REPORTER, WRITING REPORTS ON BUSINESSES IN THE AREA. SHE WAS ONLY THE SECOND WOMAN TO WORK OUTSIDE, AND THE FIRST TO WEAR PANTSUITS ON CALLS. SHE TOOK A BREAK FOR A WHILE TO TAKE CARE OF HER CHILDREN, AND THEN WORKED AS THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY AT SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. SHE WORKED WITH THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO HELP MANAGE A SEVEN FIGURE ENDOWMENT, HANDLING INCOMING FUNDS, AND PRODUCING ALL FINANCIAL DOCUMENTS DURING THE YEAR. SHE THEN LEFT TO START A NEW BUSINESS WITH HER HUSBAND, GARY.
SHE AND HER HUSBAND STARTED NATIONAL PAGER SERVICES, A REPAIR SERVICE FOR THE WHOLESALE INDUSTRY. SHE SERVED AS VICE PRESIDENT AND SECRETARY, DOING ALL FINANCIAL REPORTS. SHE THEN BECAME THE VICE PRESIDENT OF DIAL-A-PAGE WHICH OPENED IN ST. LOUIS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH DIAL-A-PAGE IN ARKANSAS. SHE EVENTUALLY MANAGED MOST OF THE GENERAL OPERATIONS WITH 35-40 EMPLOYEES AT ITS PEAK. THESE BUSINESSES RAN FOR 17 YEARS, UNTIL MARY RETIRED DUE TO ILLNESS.
OVER THE YEARS MARY WAS VERY ACTIVE IN HER CHURCH, ST. ROCH, HELPING WITH RUMMAGE SALES, TEACHING A CLASS AND MANAGING THE TWO BASKETBALL TOURNAMENTS HELD THERE EACH YEAR. SHE ALSO COACHED AND MANAGED HER SON’S BASKETBALL TEAM WHILE HE WAS IN SCHOOL AND MANAGED HIS RACQUETBALL TEAM WHILE HE ATTENDED CBC. MARY WAS A GIRL SCOUT LEADER AT THE CADET LEVEL FOR OVER TEN YEARS. SHE ASSISTED IN RESEARCH FOR THE BOOK ‘URBAN OASIS II, A HISTORY OF PARKVIEW”, THE HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOOD IN WHICH HER 100 YEAR OLD HOME WAS LOCATED.
MARY WAS AN ACCOMPLISHED SEAMSTRESS, MAKING HER DAUGHTER’S PROM DRESS, GRANDDAUGHTER’S 1ST COMMUNION DRESS, AND QUILTS FOR HER GRANDCHILDREN. SHE MADE ART GLASS WINDOWS FOR A TIME AND LOVED TO PAINT AND DRAW. SHE ALSO PLAYED PIANO BUT HER PASSION WAS HER HOME. DURING THE 35 YEARS IN PARKVIEW SHE BECAME QUITE THE HANDYMAN, STRIPPING THE PAINT FROM ALL THE QUARTERSAWN OAK, INCLUDING CEILING BEAMS, THE STAIRCASE WITH OVER 60 RUNGS, POCKET DOORS AND THE FRONT DOOR WITH A TRANSOM.
My condolences and prayers for the family. It sounds like Mary had a very memorable life and had accomplished so much. Though this may be difficult, she is finally with Jesus and is at peace now.
My condolences and prayers for the family. It sounds like Mary had a very memorable life and had accomplished so much. Though this may be difficult, she is finally with Jesus and is at peace now.
Prayers for all of you! She was a wonderful person!
Prayers for all of you! She was a wonderful person!
I knew Mary for so many years but never knew how accomplished she was in so many areas. May she Rest In Peace.
I knew Mary for so many years but never knew how accomplished she was in so many areas. May she Rest In Peace.
Gary, Kim and Allen,
Bob and I are so sorry for your significant loss. Mary was a joy and a wonderful neighbor. She always had a smile and something cheerful to say. I have thought about you all frequently since you have moved away, wondering how you are doing. I am so sorry to know Mary has passed.
Gary, Kim and Allen,
Bob and I are so sorry for your significant loss. Mary was a joy and a wonderful neighbor. She always had a smile and something cheerful to say. I have thought about you all frequently since you have moved away, wondering how you are doing. I am so sorry to know Mary has passed.
Gary,Allen and Kimberly
Please accept my sincere condolences for your loss.
She can now Rest in Peace.
Gary,Allen and Kimberly
Please accept my sincere condolences for your loss.
She can now Rest in Peace.
Dear Gary, Kim, and Allen,
We were sorry to learn of the death of your beloved wife and mother. We have so many fond memories of Mary while you were our neighbors in Parkview. I will never forget all the wonderful restorative work she did on your lovely home and her beautiful gardens!
Our deepest sympathy,
Sheri, Doug, Ben, and Mark Tollefsen
Dear Gary, Kim, and Allen,
We were sorry to learn of the death of your beloved wife and mother. We have so many fond memories of Mary while you were our neighbors in Parkview. I will never forget all the wonderful restorative work she did on your lovely home and her beautiful gardens!
Our deepest sympathy,
Sheri, Doug, Ben, and Mark Tollefsen
So sorry for your loss, prayers for your entire family.
So sorry for your loss, prayers for your entire family.
Sending our thoughts and prayers during these difficult times. Remember all the good times and stay strong.
Sending our thoughts and prayers during these difficult times. Remember all the good times and stay strong.
Bonnie Will Gischer on May 11, 2020 at 6:30pm
Dear Gary, Kim and Allen. I am so sorry for your loss. I met Mary when she was with Dun and Bradstreet. She always amazed me with her energy and stamina. To my great regret, we lost touch. I have many great memories of lots of good times together. All of you are in my prayers.
Bonnie Will Gischer on May 11, 2020 at 6:30pm
Dear Gary, Kim and Allen. I am so sorry for your loss. I met Mary when she was with Dun and Bradstreet. She always amazed me with her energy and stamina. To my great regret, we lost touch. I have many great memories of lots of good times together. All of you are in my prayers.
I woke up thinking about her. I called her for we usually touch base every other month or so. I always lived talking to her. She had a true interest in my life as aI did her. Last call from her was that she was going to ask Gary to bring her here to see me for a few days. I am so sadden.
I woke up thinking about her. I called her for we usually touch base every other month or so. I always lived talking to her. She had a true interest in my life as aI did her. Last call from her was that she was going to ask Gary to bring her here to see me for a few days. I am so sadden.