RIP Mary Jo. It was an honor to care for you even though only for a few days. No more suffering!  You held your children's hand for a short while but you hold their hearts forever,  you will be their angel now.

Mj, your love & guidance on everything from motherhood to simple & not so simple life challenges to being my fiercest prayer warrior have been such a constant. 

St. Simon was a wonderful place to raise my kids but the biggest reason was because of you. You loved each student as if they were your own & you advocated for them like no one else was. I always felt secure knowing my kids were at a school where you were there to look out for them.  You instilled in our kids & in us the importance of service & generosity & that love should never be conditional. Mj, you didn’t just preach the importance of living a faith filled impactful life, you lived it...even after so many trials could have left you bitter, your faith never wavered. 

As much as I already feel your void I am certain you have a front row seat in heaven. While my heart breaks for Anne, Mary Ellen & Mike & their families ...I am so grateful you are no longer suffering & reunited again with those you have missed for so long! 

Mj, your impact on the Quante family is beyond measure ...the best way to describe it is a few days ago we were referencing Mrs. Ponder as a saint && the kids suggested we contact the Pope to see if he could make that happen. ❤️ 

We love you Mj & thank you for always loving us so much! Hugs ❤️ Joy 

I enjoyed many conversations with MaryJo, sharing memories of Matt and my brother. She had the patience of a saint with her kiddos at St. Simon and modeled a beautiful life for them. I was honored to know her and Skip; our daughter Gina received special love from Michael and MaryJo while at St. Simon. Life is lovely and challenging all at the same time. MaryJo was a warrior and can lay down her shield having fought the good fight. Rest In Peace forever together, Matt, Skip & Mary Jo. ❤️  

What an angel Heaven has gained this week!  Rest in the arms of our Lord, Mary Jo, and enjoy a reunion with Skip and Matt.  
You have been such a blessing to me, to my family, and to our world while we had you here.  As a model of faith and virtue, you were a teacher to us all.  Love, prayers, and gratitude to you and to your family for sharing you with us!

MJ I was devastated to hear of your passing. You were such a strong person with so much understanding and compassion for every you came in contact with. Thank you for all the support you gave me during my daughters illness. Lexi loved you so much and loved helping you at school whenever you needed her.  You helped her through some tough times. Rest In Peace my friend and know that you will be missed. 

I attended Bishop DuBourg  with Jo.  We spent a lot of weekends together talking and being silly teenagers.
Later, after I had married and my husband was sent to Vietnam ,
Jo would always call me to spend time together so I wouldn’t be lonely.
Through the years we tried to keep in touch.  I would try to look at Facebook and see what was going on with Jo.  Sorry to say I haven’t talked to her for a couple of years.  I know you are at peace
now.  You were always such an amazing person and friend.
Rest In Peace, Jo.


MJ~ you were one of my dearest friends.  I will always refer to you as my "2nd mama."  God truly blessed my life when he brought me into yours!  I am a better person for my time spent with you.  You will always have a very special place in my heart!

Anne, Mary Ellen, and Mike~ your mom loved each of you and your beautiful children more than life itself!  Please be assured of my prayers  and love during this very difficult time!

Sweet Mary Jo.  I will always remember her kindness towards me.  Always a warm ,” hi, Patty!”.  From her when Mary would take me to her house for a bridal shower or some other Ponder event my dear friend Mary never failed to invite me to attend with her.  
Now,  we all know; Mary Jo is where she’s been wanting to be for quite a while.  She’s with her dear Skip  watching over their families now.  What more could she ask God for?  Pain free Peace is hers .  

Dear Mary Jo, I am so sorry I did not tell you this here, and long ago face to face.  You have always been a model human being & most importantly, a model Catholic Christian woman.  Woven into your being were so many virtues seen thru your authentic love and kindness to all.   I recall the time you spoke only kind words and came to the defense of a Man at St Simons, by sharing your witnessing his compassion for a Boy he had tearfully consoled. 

You always exhibited alignment to our Blessed Mother in an era  when young ladies are flooded with bad and frequently horrible examples of what it means to be a the kind of woman that Jesus wants them to be.  The lives and generations of families that have and will live more joyful and rewarding lives because of your example and grace, the number of destructive life mistakes that will never happen, the number of young men that will pursue women of faith as their wives, because of your examples to them as young boys, the number of women that will serve Jesus with fervor, and the number of people who have and will continue to keep the faith because you gave them a daily glimpse of heaven are all immeasurable.  

But, if you COULD somehow measure the number of lives and degree of heavenly impact you have had,  it would equate to an overflowing treasure box of Gods eternal love.  I wish we were all there sharing with you the moment Jesus told you - “Wonderful job my good and faithful servant. I have a special place in paradise prepared especially for your beautiful soul”. 

Thank you Mary Jo for the gift of your life, for showing us Jesus in the flesh, for the inspiration and love you availed to our children, which will live in their behavior and choices through the generations.  Thank you for carrying on the tradition of the Dominican Sisters that taught me at St Simons in the 70’s.  They all thank you for carrying the spiritual torch and being their hands and tongue so far beyond their physical presence.  

Anne, Mary Ellen, Mike & Family,
We are truly saddened to hear about your Mom.
We have wonderful memories of our families being neighbors for so many years. When our home was completed, your Mom & Dad were some of the first to welcome us to the neighborhood. We became friends easily & loved their wonderful sense of humors.
Fun family memories of Country Hill, St. Simon softball, stops for long chats while out on walks, to catch up on family & neighborhood news & much more.
It seems like a gazillion years ago that you three were growing up right alongside our three.
We will remember your Mom as a kind, considerate, caring friend & neighbor with a warm smile & a fun laugh that made her eyes crinkle. 
We know she will be missed & remembered fondly by many. Her leaving has left a sad void in your lives, but her health struggles are behind her now & she is at peace alongside your Dad & big brother.
You are in our thoughts & if you need us for anything at all, you know exactly where we live.
Love you all, Debbie & Mark❤


To Mary Jo’s Family:

Our deepest sympathy goes out to your family during this sad time. Mary Jo left a lasting impression on us when we met her many years ago at our parish. It was always a pleasure to see Mary Jo around St Simon. What a kind, caring, lovely and witty lady with that twinkle in her eyes.... such a blessing! Godspeed Mary Jo.... Gil & Maureen Beckemeier

I cherish the time I was able to spend with Mary Jo.  She was always willing to listen, went out of her way to build others up and would brighten your day with that ever present smile.  She gave so much to so many and led by example.  So blessed to have known her! 

Mary Jo was one of the most Grace filled woman I have met on this Earth. She was an example of compassion, hospitality, wisdom, strength, and unwavering faith. Even in all of life's trials she exuded peace, joy, and the love of Christ to all she met. She was a mentor to me and an inspiration and example to my daughters. She has a special place in Anna's heart. I will miss her, but know she is praying at the feet of Jesus for all of us. Rest in Peace Mary Jo and thank you for the blessing of your life. 

Dearest Anne, Mary Ellen, Mike and families,
What can I say about my dearest and best friend Jo?  We shared  many of life's experiences since kindergarten.  I am proud to say Jo was my Mom and Dad's second daughter and I was the Roesch's sixth sister.  She was my Michael's Godmother, second Mother and loved him as if he were her own child.  
There is another angel in heaven watching over us.
May each special and wonderful memory you have of your Mother bring you comfort and peace.  
Barbara

Heaven just became more beautiful.  You always knew the right words that I needed to hear just at the right moment. You helped me see the good in everything. You will forever be missed. Goodbye sweet friend and may you rest in peace. 

I’m so sorry to hear this news, I knew she was sick and my daughter Alison asked me if I had heard about her, and how she was doing most of last school year all the time. She was there since Ali started school there in kindergarten, now 7 years ago. We loved her, she was always so kind, and happy to talk to me in the office, or hallways of the school when she would see me. She always ask about how Alison was, and if she was going to do the talent show again that year. She would rave to me about how talented Alison was as a dancer and performer, and how much she loved her past performances. When I think of Mrs. Ponder I think of just how happy she was at any given time, no one was ever a bother to her, and she was just happy. She loved life, and life at Saint Simon School. She touched me and my daughter in a special way, and part of her will live on in us from now until our work is done on this earth. She will be greatly missed. Godspeed Mrs. Ponder. Love Laura & Alison Brosch 

Mary Jo did a very simple act of kindness towards me over 15 years ago, and somehow I have never forgotten it!
She went out of her way to let me know how much she appreciated me teaching PSR and attending the retreat with the 7th grade class.
I will never forget her kind words and more than that, her lesson on how important it is to always offer love, support, and gratitude to those around us!
God Bless you Mary Jo!

Words can not express how much love, care and advice she gave me in the 13 plus years I have worked at St. Simon. She was a blessing to me and to so many.  She touched everyone she met with her generous spirit and loving smile. Thinking of the entire Ponder family  and praying for you all!

We are so very sorry to hear about Mary Jo’s passing.  She taught our son Christopher,  he really enjoyed her as a person and teacher.  There was not one time I ran into her, whether it be at school, church or Schnucks that she didn’t tell me what a nice, caring son I raised... she always had a compliment... We were so proud of Christopher when he received the Skip Ponder scholarship to SLUH in honor of her husband.   She was truly a Beautiful soul and loving  human being... we will miss you Mary Jo,  I’m positive you went straight to heaven.  Rest easy.❤️🙏


Mary Jo not only taught my four children. But she was a trusted friend and spiritual advisor. She taught us countless ways of how to love one another and sacrifice. We will miss her sweet smile and great inner peace. The world will surely miss her but I know she will be watching down on all of us. I am sure she can be found at the heavenly altars, refreshing the candles or hanging a banner... making everything perfect.Good bye MJ.  You are so missed and loved.Save us a place in heaven.

OBITUARY

Mary Josephine Ponder

February 9, 1946 – July 11, 2019

Hoffmeister Colonial Mortuary

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