Juanita Sigillito Missey
Juanita “Nita” Sigillito Misse
Nita was a loving and devoted mother to Karen (Neal Farron), Paula (Curt) McCann, Dan (Lori) Missey and Sean (Ning) Missey, Grandmother of Madeline (Seth) Farron Wiley, Connor and Luke Farron, Nicholas McCann, Emily (Robby) Oliver, Jessica and Owen Missey, Patrick and Lydia Missey and Great Grandma to Grayson Oliver and Caroline Farron Wiley.
She was preceded in death by her parents John and Mary Sigillito and brother Eugene (Barbara) Sigillito. Nita was also a dear sister-in-law,
Nita met the love of her life, Don, at the St. Louis Cathedral Club and married on May 27, 1961. Together they owned and operated Keepsake Crafts (Rug Crafters) for 10 years. After closing their store Nita devoted her time to service volunteering at the St. Louis Lambert Airport USO and at Ascension Church helping to provide meals for families following funerals.
Nita spent countless hours in the heart of her home – the kitchen- where she cultivated a warm and inspiring environment for her children, grandchildren, family and friends. She loved cooking and entertaining and with a little creativity and care, she could whip up something extraordinary from the simplest ingredients into something truly special. You would never leave her home hungry even if you were just stopping by for a quick visit. Her resourcefulness and love of cooking inspired younger generations to embrace her favorite recipes which will continue to be shared and passed down for years to come.
Nita loved the Mason Pointe community and remained active, embracing many activities and adventures. Sh
A memorial mass will be held on Saturday January 24, 2026 (which would have been her 92nd birthday) at 10AM, visitation 9:30AM at the Mason Pointe Chapel, 13190 South Outer 40 Rd. Town & Country MO 63017
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: The Caregiver Club P.O. Box 8343 Olivette, MO 63132
Nita was one of the family. Loved this lady, especially her smile. It’s true about her God given gifts of crafting, cooking and caring for others. When I first met her she and Don welcomed me with open arms. I always felt I belonged. Mike’s Uncle Dale and Don were something but Nita was the strength of the family. I look forward to seeing this dear lady in heaven one day.
Nita and Don’s wedding party included Brother Collyn, CSC, beginning a sister-closeness that we treasured; many long, long calls despite distance. I feel the family’s loss, and connected to my heart attack on Dec 14. Nita is not gone. R.I.P. .
The Cullens have had the pleasure of knowing Nita for the last 3 years through the Grandfriend program offered by Mason Pointe and National Charity League. It was such a joy and a great pleasure for Hannah and Ayumi to have truly connected with Nita right away. Nita was not only a “grandfriend” to us but quick became a GRAND friend and a life mentor to us, always offering her wisdom, prayers and advice based on biblical teaching and optimism.
Nita and Ayumi shared the love for food, cooking, art, travel, community service, cultural learning and beyond. Nita and Ayumi had many coffees/teas/meals/activities together over their 3 years of friendship and they always fought for taking the check for brunch/meals we had together at Mason Pointe. Nita would always roll her eyes if Ayumi won the race in putting her card on the check.
Hannah admired Nita’s faith and it was Hannah who asked Nita to be her Catholic Confirmation Sponsor. Nita and Hannah spent many hours together working on the Confirmation materials and questions together. Nita’s strong faith has been passed down to Hannah for many more years to come.
The rest of the Cullens loved and adored Nita. The entire family started joining Nita at the weekly Catholic Mass at Mason Pointe after the children realized the Mass was much quicker than at our own church. Nita would get a hug from each of us after we received the communion. We always loved attending Mass at Mason Pointe not only because it was “efficient” but because we loved seeing and spending time with Nita and sometimes with her friends from Mason Pointe and sometimes with her own family, especially with Paula and Karen.
We talked and FaceTime-d with each other when we traveled for weeks over the summer across the ocean despite the time differences.
Sharing the news with Nita that we were moving to FL was one of the most difficult things. Even though we did not like our long distance “relationship” (friendship), we made it work with phone calls and visits.
It sure makes us wonder if God had led Nita in giving the Cullens a wind chimes as a Christmas gift, only hours before she fell ill on December 9. Nita told Bob and Ayumi, “I will be talking loudly to you through the chimes even though I might be far away.”
We truly miss our dear friend, Nita, but her spirit will continue to live on through all of her family and loved ones.
We love you and miss you, Nita, and we can’t wait to see you in God’s time! Until then, please keep talking to us through the wind chimes and watch over us!
Love Always,
Ayumi & the Cullen Family