78, fortified with the Sacraments of Holy Mother Church, died peacefully surrounded by her family on August 26, 2018, and buried with the Rite of Committal on August 28, 2018, presided over by Father Peter Fonseca. Maureen (AKA Granniemo or Momo) is survived by her loving husband Judge Gary M. Gaertner, Sr., her devoted sons and daughter: Gary M., Jr. (Julie), Lisa T. Obando (Jose), and Mark J. (Kim), and her most beloved grandchildren: Gary, III, Heidi, Mary Ellen, Frederic, George W., Robert, and August Gaertner; Margaret, Natalie, and Grace Obando; and Gigi and Mark J. Gaertner, Jr. She was preceded in death by her parents Robert R. and Agnes M. (Powers) Norwich and granddaughter Rita Gaertner. Momo was born in Chicago, IL, raised in Rock Island, IL., a graduate of Fontbonne University, a grade school teacher for the City of St. Louis and Hazelwood, and honored to be a member of St. Louis Priory’s Mothers’ Club. She had the treasured gift of gab from the Powers and O’Briens, and she never met a child or animal she did not love. Momo fought a tenacious battle against diabetes and other ills, so she could watch her grandchildren grow up. Our family thanks all her caregivers, nurses and doctors who kept her going these past few years: Drs. Alvarez, Daniels, Dwyer, Mauney, Murphy, Shen, and Weiss. She raised her family with great aplomb. No child could ever ask for a better Mom; we were lucky! We love you Granniemo, XOXO.
SERVICES: Memorial Mass at 10 a.m. on Saturday, September 8, 2018 at St. Louis Priory Abbey Church, 500 S. Mason Road. In lieu of flowers, any contributions in Maureen’s name to BackStoppers, 10411 Clayton Rd., St. Louis, MO 63131. []