Mary Neighbors
Belleville | Save
Mary Katherine Neighbors, nee Jacobs, 84, of Belleville, IL, born August 7, 1940, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, MO.
Mary lived a life rich in devotion, grace, and quiet strength. For 65 years, she was the cherished wife and faithful companion of Eugene Neighbors, Sr., and together they built a legacy rooted in love, faith, and family. Their marriage was a bond that guided and grounded the generations that followed.
Throughout her life, Mary embraced many roles with quiet dignity and tireless energy. But it was in the roles of mother, grandmother, and caretaker that she found her truest calling. She had a nurturing spirit and a gift for making others feel deeply loved.
Her passions were many and meaningful. She found joy in her garden, tending to flowers and vegetables with care and patience. She found comfort in books, a lifelong reader who believed in the power of stories. Mary found purpose in her genealogy research, carefully preserving the threads of family history. But above all, her greatest joy was her family - gathering around her table, filling her home with laughter, memories, and love.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Peter and Leona Jacobs; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Roy and Margaret Neighbors; her brother, Thomas Jacobs; and her daughter-in-law, Becky Neighbors.
She was the proud and devoted mother of eight children, whose lives were shaped by her steady hand, warm heart, and unwavering support. Tracy (Barbara) Neighbors of Sammamish, WA, Tim (Annette) Neighbors of Belleville, Todd (Kelley) Neighbors of Belleville, Mary Dudley of Belleville, Krista (Todd) Johnson of Houston, TX, Michael (Kelly) Neighbors of Shiloh, Eugene Neighbors Jr. of Smithton, and Brian (Ann) Neighbors of Swansea. Her love extended fully to her 19 grandchildren, Matt, Dan, Sarah, Sean, Ian, Colin, Ryan, Katie, Lauren, Rachel, Tierney, Erin, Jody, Whitley, Braden, Lily, Brooke, Mia, Natalie and Genevieve and soon to be 11 great-grandchildren, each of whom held a special place in her heart. She is also survived by her brother, Art (Wanda) Jacobs; a brother-in-law, Don Neighbors; a sister-in-law, Judy Reiners; her aunt, Edith Frischkorn; and many nieces and nephews.
Though our hearts are heavy, we find comfort in the beautiful legacy she leaves behind - a legacy of love, compassion, and faith. Her hands may be still, but her spirit lives on in all of us who were lucky enough to be loved by her.
As we honor her memory, we kindly request no flowers. In lieu of floral arrangements, memorials may be made to Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Althoff Catholic High School, or ALS Association. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may visit with the family from 10 a.m. to noon Friday, August 1, 2025, at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Belleville, IL.
Funeral: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at noon Friday, August 1, 2025, at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Belleville, IL, with Msgr. Jack McEvilly officiating.
Burial will be at Valhalla Gardens of Memory, Belleville, IL.
Renner Funeral Home
