Mary Jewell McBee Rau, 96, long time resident of Glendale, Missouri, passed away December 18, 2020, at Missouri Baptist Medical Center from complications due to Covid-19.
Born April 18, 1924, in Stanford, Kentucky, Jewell had a keen interest in three things from an early age: music, science and horses. Although an accomplished violinist and talented pianist from elementary through high school, she preferred to be on horseback far more than anything else. Lucky for her, an uncle raised quarter horses that just happened to need constant exercise, love and attention. The storybook childhood.
During World War II, she graduated from Henry Clay High School in Lexington, Kentucky. Discouraged from pursuing an engineering degree by the norms of the 1940s, she attained two bachelor’s degrees, one in home economics, the other in library science from the University of Kentucky, where her father taught metallurgy. She married a returning veteran, Ted Rau, in 1951 who she had met while working as a librarian in the Fine Arts Library at UK. In 1955, Ted’s job with Sealtest Dairy brought them to St. Louis where she settled in as a homemaker while raising two boys in Glendale. Looking for a way to stay active in her kids’ lives in school while using her gift for all things library, she founded the North Glendale School Library in 1967, which has remained an essential resource for NG students more than 50 years later. She continued her library career, first as an audiovisual librarian at Kirkwood High School from 1973 through 1977, then as a librarian at the Jewish Hospital School of Nursing until retirement in 1989.
She didn’t know it, but she had more than 30 years of retirement to enjoy, which she filled with crafting, stamp and coin collecting, organizing and cataloging everything just as a fastidious librarian does. She lost her husband of 66 years in 2017. Dementia eventually robbed her of her past, but she maintained her feisty spirit and beautiful soul until the end. She was always able to make everything fun and was, and still is, arguably, the best and most loved mother ever.
Jewell was preceded in death by her husband, Theodore S. Rau; brothers James W. McBee and Joseph F. “Jody” McBee, Sr.; and parents James Green McBee and Mary Clarice Cain. She is survived by her eldest son James T. Rau and his wife Shanley Wells-Rau of Ponca City, Oklahoma, and her youngest son William R. Rau of St. Louis, Missouri; sisters in-law Mady Rau of Louisville, Christine Buchannan-McBee; nephews Joseph F. “Jeff” McBee, Jr., Jeremy R. McBee, Gerry Rau, Thomas S. Rau; and other friends and family members.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Greater St Louis Honor Flight at gslhonorflight.org
We are sorry to learn of your loss. She lived good long life as my mother did, We seem to be losing several old shoulders during this pandemic which we hope is near its end. We are doing what we can to stay safe. our only grandson is getting married on Jan 1st, 2021 with only immediate family present—parents and grand parents on both sides .Please stay safe,
We are sorry to learn of your loss. She lived good long life as my mother did, We seem to be losing several old shoulders during this pandemic which we hope is near its end. We are doing what we can to stay safe. our only grandson is getting married on Jan 1st, 2021 with only immediate family present—parents and grand parents on both sides .Please stay safe,
I am very sorry for your loss. Jewell was a delight to have known. Her smile could light up a room. She will be missed by many and boy did she love horses. My thoughts and prayers go out to you during this difficult time.
I am very sorry for your loss. Jewell was a delight to have known. Her smile could light up a room. She will be missed by many and boy did she love horses. My thoughts and prayers go out to you during this difficult time.
I work in activities at the nursing home Jewell resided at. Jewell was a sweet and nice lady. Jewell enjoyed a variety of different activities including but not limited to church service, reading, BINGO, musical entertainment, outings, and being outside. She loved to eat ice cream and cookies were her favorite snack. Jewell will be deeply missed. She is in a better place with her husband. My deepest condolences to Bill and the rest of Jewell’s family. May Jewell’s memory be a blessing. May she Rest In Peace.
I work in activities at the nursing home Jewell resided at. Jewell was a sweet and nice lady. Jewell enjoyed a variety of different activities including but not limited to church service, reading, BINGO, musical entertainment, outings, and being outside. She loved to eat ice cream and cookies were her favorite snack. Jewell will be deeply missed. She is in a better place with her husband. My deepest condolences to Bill and the rest of Jewell’s family. May Jewell’s memory be a blessing. May she Rest In Peace.
So sorry for the loss of Jewell, Jim and Bill. We’re thinking of you all!
So sorry for the loss of Jewell, Jim and Bill. We’re thinking of you all!