Baptized into the Hope of Christ’s Resurrection, Marilyn Claire Disana (nee Mueth), 88, passed away peacefully on August 10, 2026.
Born on January 14, 1938, to Joseph and Marie Mueth, Marilyn will be remembered for kindness, wit, and ability to talk to anyone and everyone. In her youth, Marilyn was employed in the medical field and adventured across the U.S. before settling down with her beloved husband. An amazing wife, mother, and nana, Marilyn loved nothing more than spending time with her family.
Marilyn is survived by her loving husband or nearly 50 years, Joe Disana, their beloved daughter Liz (Matt) Leppert, devoted granddaughters Caroline and Victoria Leppert, and dear brother Joe (Ellen) Mueth. She was predeceased by her parents and her precious sister Rita (Mike) Feiss.
SERVICE: A funeral service will be held on Wednesday August 26, 2026, at 10:00 am at St. Justin Martyr Catholic Church at 11910 Eddie & Park Road, Sunset Hills, MO 63126. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Humane Society of Missouri, the Degreeff Hospice House, or Christian Friends of New Americans. The family asks that you devour your favorite chocolate bar or a Dad’s Oatmeal Cookie in Marilyn’s honor.
Deepest sympathy and love to all. I miss my neighbor.
I met Marilyn in the late 1960s when I started dating Rita Mueth. Marilyn was a watchful big sister to Rita, and looking back I am surprised that Marilyn OKed me. Along with Marilyn, I also met parents Joe and Marie, and Marilyn’s big brother Joe. They were a close-knit and happy family, and I remain grateful for their forbearance in accepting Rita’s unpolished choice.
Over the decades, it has been rewarding to follow Marilyn’s progression through life, as she took on marriage, motherhood, and grand motherhood. She was good at all three of those roles, along with being a great aunt to my kids. In fact, Marilyn housed them for about 6 weeks at a time when I was a bit beleaguered. I appreciate her kindness, positivity, and generosity. Marilyn shared her truths very honesty, a noble trait. I echo the comment that she could talk to anybody. I’ll end with a poem by a Shelley Grimes, a long time science friend. Shelley lived in Minneapolis and like Marilyn could talk to anybody. Shelley thought about things. This poem isn’t an elegy or about St. Louis, but I see Shelley as Marilyn’s kindred spirit:
Nine Gifts of Snow by Shelley Grimes
1, The gift of crystallization. The transformation of water from fluidly flow to the concrete, expressed in perfect symmetric flakes. May our dreams also be birthed into specific realized form.
2. The gift of individuality. No two snowflakes are alike, each unique. May we also have the courage to express precisely and fully who we are.
3. The gist of communion. While each snowflake is lovely in its own right. It is only through the collection of flakes that the landscape is transformed into a wonderland. May we also come together in community to accomplish something bigger than we can alone.
4. The gift of service. As the snow blankets the earth, it protects tender shrubs and plants from harsh cold and provides the first drink to the earth in the spring. May we also contribute our talents in service to others.
5. The gift of joy. The shouts of kids at first snow, sleds running down the hill, snowball fights, snow angels, hockey pucks hitting the boards. May we remain eternally young at heart.
6. The gift of deep peace. Without wind, snow drifts down from the skies, covering and quieting the earth. May we too find places of deep silence and restoration in our hearts.
7. The gift of flexibility. A predicted path, continuous course corrections-a little turn south of a changing arc towards north. May we too set a course but also be open to the changing winds on our journey.
8. The gift of surprise. Unanticipated- no one called it, yet it is snowing, nonetheless. May we always be open to the unexpected.
9. The gift of beauty. Snow could have just as well been made of a bunch of round blobs. No real need for exquisite patterns or endless variety. Yet the path of beauty was chosen. May we also walk the way of beauty- noticing, creating, and being beauty.