Mary D. Stobbs

Mary Stobbs (nee DeCicco) passed away peacefully Thursday, February 25, 2021. She was born on December 4, 1935 in Washington, D.C. to Joseph and Virginia (nee Tracey) DeCicco. Mary attended St. Cecilia elementary and high school, and graduated from Marjorie Webster College, where she was known for her superior bridge playing skills. She graduated with a degree in merchandising. After graduating, Mary was employed by AT & T as an account representative. It was during this time that she met and married the love of her life, John Dale Stobbs, who preceded her in death. After marriage, Mary and Dale moved to Alton, Illinois where Mary’s humor, compassion, spunk, grace, and love for her family will always be remembered. Those that were fortunate enough to call Mary their friend knew of her devotion to her family, her resilient inner strength, and most of all, her undying loyalty to those she cared about. She was active in all of her seven children and fifteen grandchildren’s lives, attending every major event, and being their biggest supporter at every turn. Mary loved to tinker in the garden, cook her family’s favorite meals that have been immortalized in her own cookbook, and she also appreciated art and listening to live music, especially when the piano was being played. Above all else, the one thing that Mary cherished the most was being a mother, and in that department she was incomparable. We were lucky to have her to guide us in life, and we will embrace the memories that we made together for a lifetime to come. To her last breath, she was the quintessential lady who loved and lived life to the fullest, and although we will miss her more than words can say, we are comforted in knowing that she is at home and at peace with God and her beloved Dale. Mary is survived by her seven children, Tracey Anne Riordan (the late Gerard) of Wildwood, Missouri, Monica Stobbs of Charleston, South Carolina, who lovingly cared for her at the end of her life, Elizabeth Stobbs of Chicago, Illinois, John Dale Stobbs, II (Rosario) of Alton, Illinois, Mary Jennifer Margarida of Edwardsville, Illinois, Stephen Stobbs (Catherine) of Godfrey, Illinois, and Kathryn Santellano (Don) of St. Charles, Missouri. Her fifteen grandchildren, Ignacio Margarida (Shelbi), Patrick Riordan, Mae Riordan, Emma Riordan, John Dale Stobbs, III, Madeleine Stobbs, Agustin Margarida, Lorena Stobbs, Grace Stobbs, Matthew Santellano, Isabel Margarida, Sophia Stobbs, Caroline Stobbs, Rosie Santellano, and Stephen Stobbs, Jr. survive her as well, as do two sisters, Claire Anne Cavey of Rockville, Maryland and Jude Himmelberg of Silver Spring, Maryland, and many nieces and nephews. A mass celebrating Mary’s life will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Alton, Illinois on Monday, March 1, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. There will be a live virtual feed of the mass that is available on the Church’s website (www.stmarysalton.com) to accommodate COVID restrictions. In the spring, a memorial will be held to further celebrate Mary and give thanks for her life. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Gent Funeral Home in Alton is in charge of arrangements. Online guestbook and information may be found at www.gentfuneralhome.com.

Tributes

Mary D. Stobbs

December 4, 1935 - February 25, 2021