Marie Helen Stathopoulos Ceisel peacefully departed this life Friday, July 28, 2017 at age 96. She was born in Alton IL on May 18, 1921 to Steven Stathopoulos and Helen Souris Stathopoulos, the 3rd of 5 surviving children. She attended East St. Louis and St. Louis public schools and obtained her high school diploma by attending night school at Handley Vocational High School in St. Louis. She moved with her family to Chicago in 1944, working for Carnegie Steel and Illinois Steel. She met Charles Ceisel at a Greek church dance in 1946 and married him the following year. In 1952, she resigned from Ford Motor Company to move to Memphis, leaving her much-missed siblings behind. Marie became a full-time housewife for the next 10 years, raising three children in Whitehaven. She re-entered the work force part-time as her children grew and finally returned to full-time employment at Memphis Hardwood Market Report for 19 years, her favorite job. She finished her career working at the IRS as a seasonal employee for 10 years. All in all, she participated in the work force for 50 years part-time and full-time from age 16 until age 79. She and Charles were married 44 years until his death in 1991.

Reading, gardening, and travel were her favorite activities. There were many trips to Chicago and Los Angeles to visit siblings, nieces and nephews. Other trips included San Francisco, the Grand Canyon, Santa Fe, Yosemite and Hearst Castle. In retirement she enjoyed many trips around the South. Marie leaves her three children, Helen Ceisel Phillips and Laura Ceisel McClure of Memphis and Charles Ceisel of Houston Texas. She also leaves her grandson, Herb Phillips, and two great-grandchildren, Land and Lila Phillips, all of Memphis. Our mother's life was a testament to reaching for the stars and never giving up. Mother set an example to all her descendents as a loyal friend, an attentive sibling, and a dependable co-worker, but most of all she was a devoted wife and mother, for which we can never thank her enough.

The family would like to thank Dr. Frederick Pelz and his staff for 20+ years of life-extending care and also Dr. Benton Cox and his staff for many years of generous attention. There will be a visitation on Tuesday August 1 at Idlewild Presbyterian Church from 5 to 7 p.m. On Wednesday, August 2 there will be a reception at Idlewild Presbyterian beginning at Noon followed by a funeral service at 2 p.m. Burial in Forest Hill Midtown Cemetery follows the service.