Alma Gertrude (McMenamy) Mandeville

She was born on November 19, 1933, in Florissant, MO, the daughter of James and Anna (Birkemeier) McMenamy. Alma married Robert “Bob” Mandeville on June 6, 1953, at Sacred Heart Church in Florissant, MO.

Alma is survived by her beloved husband, Bob; children, Mark Mandeville, Steven (Deborah) Mandeville, Glenn (Theresa) Mandeville, Patrick (Robin) Mandeville, Renee (Steven) Vilatte, Annette Mandeville, Robert (Christine) Mandeville, and Valerie (Serge) Njapa; grandchildren, Jordan, Jena, Allison, Abbey, Amanda, Alex, James, Lindsey, Courtney, Haley, Luke, Dominic, Noelle, Olivia, Lydia, Bennett, Eliza, Maxim, Silienne, Preston, Gabrielle, Sophia, and Damien; great-grandchildren, Brandon, Olivia Grace, Elliana, Jhett, Shep, Rowan, Theo, Eberle, Zeke, Ezra, Esme, Naelle, Camilla, and Aaliyah; and siblings, Justin McMenamy, Raymond (Donna) McMenamy, Father Alvin McMenamy, SM, and Eileen (Jack) Laramie; and sister-in-law Patricia Mandeville.

She was preceded in death by her parents; infant daughter, Linda; grandson, Peter Mandeville; granddaughter, Bree Ann; sisters, Odelia, Theresa Renaud, Ruth Ann Thompson, Vera Gittemeier, and Rosalyn McMenamy; one sister-in-law; three brothers-in-law; three nephews; and a great-nephew.

Most important in Alma’s life was her belief and faith in God. Daily, she gave thanks for his many gifts. She also felt blessed to have had a loving husband for 73 years. Alma’s life was wrapped around her eight children, their spouses, and every single grandchild. She was always happy to babysit and play with the little ones. When family members gathered, Alma cooked a big meal and her favorite desserts. Baking cookies was an ongoing part of her life.

Alma was a believer in the goodness of health and exercise, such as walking, running, biking, or playing tennis. Sewing, too, was part of her life, whether it was needle work or jobs done on her old Singer machine.

Upon graduation from the University of Illinois with a master’s degree in social work, Alma began full-time employment, first at the senior citizens center of central Illinois, followed by 13 years with the State of Illinois Department on Aging and Department of Children and Family Services before her retirement in 1999 as director of the ombuds office.

Prior to moving to Illinois, Alma lived in Missouri, Texas, Kansas, and Maryland. She loved the fact that she was able to live at the same address and be in the same parish, Blessed Sacrament, for most of her years in Illinois.

She was grateful to have had opportunities for volunteer work. One of the first was with Legion of Mary in Kansas. In Springfield, she was a member of activities at the parish, diocese, and community including serving as a eucharistic minister, lector, parish school of religion teacher, Girl Scout leader, St. John’s Breadline, and St. Joseph’s Home for the Aged (Our Lady of the Snows Circle). Alma was a long time NICU cuddler at St. John's. Alma was on the committee for Blessed Sacrament Stewardship and the auction, and the boards for United Way and St. Joseph’s Home.

Special, too, for her were the years when she was a volunteer in the long term ombuds advocacy program for nursing home residents, team member at the Koinonia Retreats, team member at the prison retreats, and tutor for the adult literacy program. In 2005, Alma and Bob started a lay Marianist community group in Springfield.

Visitation: Family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at Butler Funeral Home- Springfield, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield, IL. The visitation will begin with a prayer service.

Mass of Christian Burial: 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 1725 S. Walnut St., Springfield, IL, with Fr. Alvin McMenamy, Fr. Michael Friedel, Fr. Jeff Grant, and Deacon Justin McMenamy officiating.

Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Society of Mary or Blessed Sacrament Parish.

Please visit www.butlerspringfield.com to offer your condolences.