Mary Elizabeth Siegfried

Mary Elizabeth Siegfried, who was known for her loving, vivacious, kind and generous nature that lifted all those she encountered, died August 1, 2024, at her home, peacefully, in her sleep, from complications of dementia. She was 78.

Mary lived her life actively and well - working, traveling, socializing, maintaining family ties and community activities, and service roles to others – all with a cheerful disregard for the developmental disabilities that touched her life. She will be remembered best for her outgoing ebullience, interest in others, honesty of emotion and cheerfulness that buoyed those lucky enough to cross her path.

Mary was born September 24, 1945, in Independence, Missouri to Samuel Cedric and Mary Power Siegfried and lived her whole life in Independence. Her childhood was spent first on South Fuller Street close to her grade school (Southwest), and later nearby on Lexington Avenue. Her childhood was enriched by large family gatherings (a dozen baby boom cousins!), driving vacations across the country, many church activities, grandparents in Independence and Paris, Missouri, two younger siblings, the devotion of her father, and constant loving presence of her mother. 

She graduated from Young High School for the Disabled in 1963, served as a hospital Candy Striper, with her mother at the Laurel dinner Club at the Auditorium, and began as a young adult her 40 year work life within IBS Service Industries.

After Mary’s father’s death in 1990, Mary and her mother continued life together – an inseparable partnership – until her Mom, in declining health, moved to assisted living in 1992.

So in 1992, Mary joined the Special Neighbors family at the Carriage House (thank you to Amy Berry and Jennifer Seidel who were so instrumental) and she began to blossom, even soar, into her adult life of supported, more independent living packed with firsts – many new roommates and friends, dormitory fun, peer group activities and adventures, more travel, work responsibilities, and self-advocacy - all new challenges Mary took on with real gratitude and joy - and with the unwavering support of the wonderful staff that made it all possible. She started to discover how much she could want out of life.

She soon was ready for her own apartment in the Truman Road House community that would be her home base for 22 years. Her life there was full of affection for her friends and staff, as well as movies, eating out, cheering on the Chiefs, love of animals, dancing, cooking and helping with group dinners, attending Stone church on Sundays (a lifelong member), being in the occasional fashion show and Special Olympics, as well as many group travel adventures ranging from Niagara Falls to Hawaii, often with her best friend Amy (for someone who never drove, Mary really got around!). Travel to annual Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations with family in Des Moines and Connecticut were especially important to “Aunt Bee”. One staff member, new to the Truman apartments, immediately got her generosity of spirit - “Mary’s the Queen Bee!” This period was also marked by a deepening embrace of her own self – of her own personhood – and she advocated for herself and, characteristically, others too, serving as a resident representative on Special Neighbors and People First boards, as well as meeting legislators in 2009 for a disability advocacy conference in Jefferson City. 

Mary was especially proud of her years of work and of friendships at United Missouri Bank, in the Trust Department mailroom, under her great boss, champion and mentor, Jean Vernon. For Mary’s work there, she was named IBS employee of the year in 1999. 

And each year, Mary, her case manager, team, and family members all met for a detailed look at all her challenges and goals, and at her future and how to support it – Important, fun get-together where Mary’s family experienced the program’s support of her, and also saw the impact her loving soul could have on others. We thank everyone, sadly too many to name, who touched her life. Instrumental were Case Managers Terry Gent, Reba Currie, Hilda Hill, Shannon Smith, and others over the years. Thanks also to so many from Special Neighbors, the Center for Developmental Disability, and EITAS who managed daily life and needs (where a lot of the fun and challenge with Mary was). Thanks also to Amy RN St Croix Hospice for assessment and planning, medical guidance, and end of life care. And, at the end, for the love shown by Eunice, Pat, Penny, and many others. We will always be grateful to them for keeping Mary’s home, for her peaceful passing.

Mary is survived by her sister Martha Johnson (Ronald), brother Mark (Sally), her nieces Elisa and Karina, nephews Peder and Anders, and was a beloved Great Aunt to 5 nieces. She was preceded in death by her parents and her nephew Hans.

On Friday August 9th there will be a visitation at 2 PM, and a celebration and memories of Mary’s life at 3, at Carson-Speaks Chapel at 1501 Lexington Avenue in Independence.

Contributions in Mary’s memory may be made to Midwest Special Needs Charitable Trust, and Center for Developmental Disability.