Mary Guay Feltner (née Marquis)
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Mary Guay Feltner (née Marquis), who was born on September 8th, 1951 . Mary passed away peacefully on July 2nd, 2025 leaving a legacy of love, laughter, and unwavering devotion to her family and friends.
Mary was the beloved wife of John Feltner, with whom she shared 52 years of a beautiful and enduring marriage. Their bond was a true testament to partnership and commitment, serving as an inspiration to all who knew them.
Mary was a devoted mother who will be profoundly missed by her children, Christy (née Feltner) Starnes and her husband Doug, and her son, Matt Feltner and his wife Abi. She lovingly guided them, instilling in them enduring values of kindness, strength, and compassion.
Mary’s greatest joy was being a grandmother. She cherished every moment with Peyton Nipper (and his wife Kate), Chloe Price (and her husband Tyler), Kinley Smith, Reyah Feltner, and Asher Feltner. Mary was also eagerly awaiting the arrival of her first great-grandchild, Baby Girl Price, due in December 2025. Her grandchildren will forever carry the warmth of her love and the memories of her unwavering support and devotion.
Mary was a cherished sister to James Marquis and John Marquis. She also held a special place in her heart for her very dear friends Ed and Sue Putney and Stan and Pat Koch, sharing a bond that transcended friendship. As a beloved aunt, cousin, and friend to many, Mary touched countless lives with her generous spirit and warm heart.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Mary Marquis and Charles Marquis, her sister Jean Gantz (née Marquis), and her nephew Stephen Marquis. While we mourn her passing, we find comfort in knowing she is reunited with loved ones who have gone before her.
Mary will be remembered for her vibrant spirit, her endless capacity for love, and the joy she brought to every gathering. Her memory will live on in the hearts of all who were fortunate enough to know her.
The family will hold a Celebration of Life for Mary in the coming months, with details to be shared when they become available.
In lieu of flowers, donations in honor of Mary Feltner can be made to:
Washington University Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine https://pulmonary.wustl.edu/giving/
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society https://givenow.lls.org/
We love you so, Mary, and will cherish your love and precious memories of our wonderful 42- year friendship with you and John.
Our hearts are filled with love and prayers for you, John, and Christy and Matt and your beautiful families. We are forever connected by our friendships, and are eternally grateful for all of you. God bless you all, as Mary watches over you. She is at peace, and that gives us comfort.
We love you all so very much.
You were so loved by your family and friends. You are truly missed by your friends and I am grateful to have known and loved you and John. You will forever be in my heart. Rest in Peace old friend until we meet again.
You were so loved by your family and friends. You are truly missed by your friends and I am grateful to have known and loved you and John. You will forever be in my heart. Rest in Peace old friend until we meet again.
Cheryl and Kurt Marty will miss Mary and all her great conversations. Mary was an inspiration to us in her daily actions of dedication, strength, love and vibrant personality! Mary, we will miss you and miss the fun we had with you and John at the beach. To Doug and Christy Aunt Cheryl and Uncle Kurt love you very much.
I was so so sad to find out about Mary. My daughter Amy let me know. It has been many years since we have seen each other! But I remember! We were sitting on your covered back porch, just visiting and laughing a lot all afternoon. I believe it was John and Mary, Pat and Stan and me and maybe Creager!
When Amy text me, I told her that Mary Feltner had “the best smile EVER!” Thinking about you!
Love, Patty
Mary was such a kind and loving person, she will be deeply missed by the many lives she touched. I was blessed with a long and meaningful friendship with her and so grateful for the time I was able to spend with Mary in the end. I will hold our cherished memories forever in my heart. Rest easy my dear sweet friend, I love you.
Selfishly, there’ a part of me that longs to go back, a month or so before Mary passed, back to when I could still hear her voice, laugh with her, and be on the receiving end of her sass. But life moves forward, wether we’re ready or not, and now I carry yesterdays memories of my dear friend into each new day.
Mary left behind more than memories; she left a blueprint, an honest, wholehearted example of how to live with love, conviction, and an unwavering sense of loyalty. She taught us all something simply by being herself
One of my favorite things about Mary was our political debates. Our views couldn’t have been more opposite. But even in disagreement, our bond never wavered. That was Mary: fiercely opinionated, yet so full of heart that even spirited arguments became acts of love. I tried hard to get under her skin, but she always got the last word. I admit, reluctantly, I let her win a couple times. Not many. But a couple.
There are moments that still make me laugh and cringe at the same time.like the day I dialed 636 677 ————, assuming I’d get Mary. I let out a string of colorful language right off the bat….only to hear a frail voice on the other end. It was Big Mar, Mary’s mom. That was not one of my finest moments. But the story didn’t end there. Years later, when Big Mar was in her final moments at St Mary’s Hospital, Mary and I walked into her room, and she looked at me , stuck her fingers in her ears an shook her head from side to side. Classic, what a finale.
But beyond the laughs, what stays with me most is what Mary taught me without ever trying: how to live a life rooted in love and faith. Her devotion to her family, her friends and her God was quiet, strong, and unshakable. Toward the end we prayed together often. Those moments, sacred, honest, full of peace, are some of the most meaningful I’ve ever known.
Sure, I could sit in my sadness. But more than anything, I feel blessed. Blessed to have known Mary to share in her journey. There won’t be a day that goes by without a prayer, a smile, or a memory surfacing when I least expect it.
One day, someone will catch me smiling for no reason and ask what I’m thinking about. And without missing a beat, I’ll say:
“Marrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!”