V. Colleen Messmer

Vivienne Colleen Messmer (nee Skaggs) passed away on October 24, 2024, at age 95. Born August 9, 1929, Colleen lived a full life of love, compassion, and strength. She was a loving wife, an amazing mother, devoted Grandmother, Great Grandmother, aunt, cousin and friend. She often said that her grandchildren gave her a purpose for living.

Colleen grew up in St. Louis with her dear parents and two sisters. She attended McKinley High School graduating in 1947. She learned to play the piano in high school and followed this love by teaching piano over the years to more than 55 students. Colleen had a deep love for animals. She always had several bird feeders full of seeds, hummingbird feeders and even a salt lick in her backyard for the deer. She filled her days by counting all of the animals that came to visit. Colleen had an extensive glass collection and loved going on the hunt for different collectables and antiques. She was a member of the St. Louis Glass Club and was an expert on identifying various patterns and their history.

She was a very patriotic person who loved her country. However, her greatest love was her family. In her younger years she loved to plan parties for her grandchildren and had the entire family over for the holiday togethers and meals. Every year Colleen was very diligent to never forget to send a birthday card to each person in her family and to her friends. She would be the first person to call on the phone and sing, “Happy Birthday.” Colleen was a very strong-willed lady and lived in her home for 95 years. Her wish came true, she was determined to never live in a nursing home. Her mind was as sharp as a tack and she faithfully wrote in her journal all the names of the presidents and their wives in order, state capitals, and books of the Bible. She also spent time each day working on The New York Time Crossword Puzzle and other word challenges in the daily newspaper.

 Colleen was preceded in death by her dear husband Lou, her parents Herman and Stella Skaggs, and her sisters Maxine Webb and Madine Penrose and her Son-in-law Michael McBride. She leaves behind her children. Gloria McBride, Larry (Kathy) Messmer, Deborah (JR) Bowen, Rebecca Tussey, and Gabrielle (Randy) Shore, 10 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, and countless friends.

 Funeral services will be held on Friday, November 8, 2024, at Ziegenhein South County with a visitation at 10:30 and a memorial service at 12:00 with interment following at Mt. Hope.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to a no kill shelter: Open Door Animal Sanctuary, P.O. Box 870, House Springs, MO 63051, St. Jude Children’s Hospital 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or a charity of your choice.