Marionetta Elsie "Mary" McDougall

Mary McDougall (nee Strutz), age 91.

Mary McDougall (nee Strutz) died peacefully on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at 7:35 PM, punctuated by a stunning sunset in hues of orange and pink on one end of her journey and a nearly full and bright moon against clear skies on the other.

Born Marionetta Elsie Strutz on December 31, 1933, in the town of Oakes, North Dakota, Mary shared her birth year with both the invention of the chocolate chip cookie and the end of prohibition. What would follow in the next 91 years is a life devoted entirely to family, faith, and friends, with delightful chocolate chip cookies and a nice glass of red wine interspersed.

Mary was graced with different chapters and scene changes that a long life affords. Small town Oakes set the stage for Mary as sibling to four on a farm that was met with harsh winters and long days of work. Being selected as the town’s “Dairy Queen” in the early 1950s was not her crowning achievement, though the qualities reflected in that title, her beauty, faith, and desire to be of service, were ones she carried with her for the entirety of her life. Armed with an education, Mary had a desire to see what the world had to offer, which as it turns out was a job in Washington, D.C. as a “code cracker” and a chance meeting with the man who would later become her husband, Robert (Bob) McDougall.

The pair were married in Washington D.C. on July 24, 1954, and not long after, moved first to Ohio and then to St. Louis where they purchased a 1-story ranch home on Taunton Court in Town and Country. It is here Bob and Mary McDougall hosted their fair share of fabulous soirees with friends and family around the landscaped backyard pool equipped with a poolside tiki bar. Mary saw Bob off to his daily job as CFO of Koplar Enterprises and volunteer as Chairman of the American Heart Association while she attended to her position as the beloved church secretary at Kirk of the Hills, a role she held for 34 years before retiring. Her steadfast connection to community stoked her involvement in the church and in various groups that allowed her the opportunity to engage in her crafting interests, specifically knitting with the “Knit Wits”—a group of talented yarnophiles who had a shared interest in creating with yarn and participating in local craft fares.

If these broad sweeps don’t do justice to painting a life fully lived, enter Mary’s involvement as mother to her two children. Mary and Bob were eternally grateful to Hocking Country Ohio Children Services and St. Louis Children’s Home Society for assisting with the growth of their family by two through the process of adoption; Molly (Marlene) in 1966 and Robby (Robert) two years later in 1968. Subsequent birthdays and Christmases were outward signs of that gratitude; in some of the family photos from the early 1970s, it can be hard to spot the children’s beaming faces among the piles of wrapped presents. The same skillset that made Mary a standout church secretary transferred to running a household and raising children. Lunches were packed daily; children were shuttled, events were attended, teams were cheered on, meals were cooked and served, laundry was done, bills were paid, and nightly tuck-ins with bedtime prayers were delivered. Both children can ride a bike because Mary taught them how, and despite being terrified of swimming herself, Mary made sure Molly and Robby would be strong swimmers by signing them up for and bringing them to swimming classes.

As with all life stories, Mary’s life was not without loss and hardship. She watched the love of her life succumb to cancer on September 19, 1989, at the age of 58, and it’s hard not to imagine a particular kind of loneliness in the years that followed, as Mary never entertained the idea of dating after Bob died. Mary lived long enough to experience the timely passing of her mother, Dorthy (Storm) Strutz; her father, Arthur Strutz; brothers Amuel and Arthur (“Don”); and several friends. These and other losses, however, did not overshadow the joy she carried for watching her children reach adulthood, find love, and create families of their own. Mary’s entrance to the grandmother phase of life, one she truly adored, began with Molly’s two children, Joe (now 25) and Lauren (20). Many years later, Mary’s son Robert and wife Bridget welcomed baby Marty (now 8) into the world. Another of life’s joys for Mary was the reunion between her daughter Molly and Molly’s son, Adam (now 41), who was born and placed for adoption in 1984. With Adam, the grandchild final tally was 4. Adam and his wife Star entered the family picture with children Libby (11) and River (9), which catapulted Mary into great-grandmother status as their “Gigi.” Among other unexpected and delightful additions to Mary’s family are Molly’s husband David Frazin (married in 2022), David’s sons Eric (Elissa) and Justin, and David’s grandchildren Jayden (8), Aspen (1), and Dawson (due February 10, 2026).

Mary is survived by sister Phyllis Hofsommer (Strutz)(Tom) and brother Myron Strutz (Pam) as well as many nieces, nephews, great- and great-great-nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly and more friends than one could count. Mary held dearly each of these connections until her final moment.

Mary’s children wish to especially thank Carla for the kindness and care she gave for the last year of Mary’s life. You were and are truly a blessing.

A memorial service will be held on January 3, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Kirk of the Hills Presbyterian Church located at 12928 Ladue Rd, St. Louis, MO 63141. Mary’s memorial service will be live streamed for those unable to attend. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to the American Heart Association in honor of the commitment Mary and her husband Bob had to supporting their efforts.