Mecker, Odile Stewart Odile Stewart Mecker (1930-2015), died peacefully on Thursday, February 19, 2015 at St. Mary's Hospital after suffering a stroke. Odile was the beloved daughter of John Bruce and Marie Dodge Stewart. Surviving are her daughters, Carolyn Ahlemeier and Suzanne Venker (William) and her grandchildren James William Ahlemeier, Emma Stewart Venker, Henry Joseph Venker and Barrett William Ahlemeier. Also surviving is sole sibling, Phyllis Stewart Schlafly. Odile's husband, Robert Mecker, died June 10, 2008. Odile graduated from Radcliffe College (now Harvard) in 1952 with a Master's degree in Business Administration. She received her B.A. in History from Washington University in 1948. Odile began her career as a stockbroker at a brokerage house in Washington, D.C., but soon returned to St. Louis and joined G.H. Walker & Co. She married CPA Robert Mecker in 1964, and when her daughters were ages five and three, Odile retired from the investment field though her interest in stocks continued. She was an avid gardener, a history buff and fiercely devoted to her family. After both of their children went off to college, Bob and Odile became involved in the historic preservation of Ste. Genevieve, MO. They bought and restored an 1820 house and became life members of the Foundation for Restoration of Ste. Genevieve, its local history society. Bob was elected President and helped bring national recognition to the city and to the oldest cemetery in the state of Missouri. As a result of his efforts, the Mecker Research Library was established and housed in the Foundation's Historic Keil-Schwent House. In 2004 the Foundation awarded its distinguished Service Award to Bob and Odile. Several years after Bob died, Odile sold her much beloved home in Ladue, the only house she'd ever known, and moved in with her daughter Suzanne and her family in Warson Woods. She was with them for two years before moving to the Bethesda Barclay House in Clayton in August 2013. There, Odile found many friends from her earlier years and delighted in her new apartment and comfortable lifestyle. She found a particular friend in one James Nouse, who took wonderful care of Odile, showering her with love and affection up until the day she died. Odile's family is so thankful to Mr. Nouse for taking such amazing care of Odile for the past year and one half. Services: A funeral service will be conducted at LUPTON CHAPEL, 7233 Delmar Blvd., University City on Tuesday, February 24, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. Interment Sunset Memorial Park, Affton, MO. Memorial contributions may be made to the Foundation For The Restoration of Ste. Genevieve, MO. The family will receive friends at Lupton Chapel on Monday, February 23, 2015 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Published in St. Louis Post-Dispatch on Feb. 22, 2015.