Mary Louise Wethington O’Rourke transitioned peacefully on Wednesday, October 8, 2014. She was born October 30, 1920 in Ashland, Illinois; the ninth of twelve children of Bertha Clements and Albert Clarence Wethington. Mrs. O’Rourke is predeceased by her loving husband Emmett O’Rourke; her beloved son, John Wethington, as well as her cherished parents and eleven Wethington siblings: Carl (Caroline,) Sr. Mary Bertha OSU, Aloysius, Louis “Lonnie,” William (Erna,) David (Dorothy,) Albert “Red” (Jeannette,) Francis “Frank” (Marie,) twins John (Betty Smith, surviving,) and James, and Betty (Wilbur Dunn.)

Mary Louise, called “Snooks,” by her father and almost all of her family, overcame many hardships in her life including tuberculosis as a young adult. She worked for many years in the administrative offices of the Girl Scouts of America. Like her mother, with never a bad word against anyone, Mrs. O’Rourke was a kind and giving person. She loved music and sang in the choir at St. Cronan’s parish in Saint Louis. She loved animals and was particularly fond of cats including her pets Felix, Miss Kitty and Sweetie.

Mrs. O’Rourke is survived by her grandson Matthew (Heather) Wethington; her daughter-in-law Carol Mayo Wethington, of Mission Viejo, CA, and step-children Larry O’Rourke and Patty Adams; step-grandson Philip Adams and step-great-grandson Robbie Adams. Also surviving are nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, great-greats and great-great-greats; too many to mention here. Special thanks to niece Mary Joan Williams for her unselfish care and devotion.

A Mass to celebrate the life of Mary Louise O’Rourke will be held on the Feast of All Saints, November 1, 2014, 10:30 AM; Saint Monica’s Church in Creve Coeur. Interment of cremains immediately following at Bellerive Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Tenth Life Cat Rescue, P O Box 63187, Saint Louis MO 63163 or online at www.tenthlifecats.org