Margaret Elizabeth Steel
Margaret Elizabeth (Feaster) Steel passed away on June 16, 2022, in Creve Coeur, MO. Born on February 24, 1919, in Withers Mill, MO, Margaret was the third daughter of Daniel Lilburn Feaster and Nancy Cleo (Chipman) Feaster. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Adrian Lee Steel, and her sisters, Lois Swinford and Ada Mary Max. She is survived by her son Adrian Lee Steel, Jr. (Karen) of McLean, VA and daughter Julia Margaret Bono (Chuck) of Franklin, TN. She is also survived by her niece, Barbara (Max) Lavender of Boulder, CO and four grandchildren, Abigail, Benjamin, Elizabeth and Ashley. One of her great joys was spending time with them painting, cooking, playing cards, and gardening. She was also blessed with six great grandchildren and numerous nephews and nieces and cousins.
Margaret graduated from Soldan High School in St. Louis in 1937. After graduation, Margaret began a secretarial career. Margaret joined the American Red Cross in 1943 and was assigned to the American Red Cross’s Roosevelt Club in Manila in the Philippines. She worked as a staff assistant helping with USO tours and with programs and activities at the Club. After the war, she returned to St. Louis in 1946 and went back to work for the Red Cross.
Margaret and Adrian met before the war at Euclid Baptist Church. They rekindled their relationship after the war and were married on February 22, 1947, in Lexington, KY. (Adrian met Margaret at Union Station when she returned to St. Louis after finding out from her parents when she was to return.) After living in south St. Louis, they moved to the suburbs and lived in Florissant. Faith played an important part in Margaret’s life, and she and Adrian were members of Florissant Presbyterian Church where they were very active. Margaret was involved in a number of volunteer activities in Florissant, including city commissions, the PTA, scouting and the Maryville School for children in need. Margaret was an accomplished painter, loved to play bridge, and enjoyed her beloved backyard garden and flowers. She had a special love for the family’s pets, including Snowflake, Tilly, and Sadie.
Margaret will be greatly missed by her family and many friends. A memorial service to celebrate Margaret’s life will be held at Florissant Presbyterian Church, 660 Charbonier Rd., Florissant, MO at 1:00PM on August 14, 2022. Memorial donations can be made to Florissant Presbyterian Church.
Granny Steel as I knew her was a sweet lady who loved to laugh. In her later years Julie would bring her to dinner at the ESL classes at our church and visit with the international community. It was a delight for everyone. I will always remember when they sang happy birthday to her on her 100th birthday. The smile on her face was worth a thousand words. We love you Granny and will miss your sparkle.
My favorite memories of Granny are walking to her apartment with Ashley to visit Granny & Sadie; going to Aruba with the Bonos & Granny–and Granny mistaking a giant palm tree for a “thatched roof” and seeing her watercolors of the ocean; and visiting and taking Granny out to dinner when her family traveled over the summer. You’ll be missed!
Adrian, I’m so sorry to hear about your mother passing. I’m quite amazed that she lived as long as she did. Your lucky to have had her around for so long. Both of my parents died fairly young. I think my mother knew your mother either through Florissant Presbyterian, or the PTA.
I forgot about the Florissant Presbyterian connection I had with you. I often tell people that I grew up in a fairly liberal church that valued inclusiveness. I can’t think of the minister’s name , but I felt like he was very active in the civil rights movement, and talked about it in his sermons. It also seemed like the youth group discussions centered on inclusiveness, and the inhumanity of wars- specifically the Vietnam war. I think this experience greatly affected my worldview, and politics. Although my mother was a Republican, I think this choice of churches was one of the things she did right.
Sorry about the self reflection. I do have fond memories of your mother. I’m sure you will miss her. John
Adrian and family,
I was so sorry to hear of your Mother’s passing. Although I didn’t know her, I’m sure that she was one strong lady to have survived two pandemics which were 100 years apart! She also must have been a wonderful Mother to have raised such a thoughtful and caring son.
My thoughts are with you at this sad time.
Judy Pauck O’Neil