News Of Neighbors

By Rachel Boxdorfer

February–March 2021

Kristin Weis and Ravi Chopra with their children.

Historical February–March 2021 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.

And now, it is time to check in on the news of some of our neighbors. I’m happy to report we have some new neighbors that have moved in to the Skinker DeBaliviere neighborhood, and some who have been born into our community! Let’s give a warm welcome to our new neighbors on the 6100 block of McPherson, Kristin Weis and Ravi Chopra and their lovely children Leah and Luca. Be sure to say hello if you see them around.

We also want to welcome to world baby Teodor Kerr! Teodor was born on August 31, 2020 (same day as Maria Montessori!). Proud parents are Cristina and Tom Kerr of the 6100 block of McPherson.

The 6100 block of Kingsbury welcomed a new neighbor too.

The Baxter family welcomed baby Maggie on October 5. Maggie weighed in at 5 lbs, 12 oz. Proud parents are Steven and Flo Baxter. Even prouder big sisters are Ava and Isa (pictured here with baby Maggie).

The Von Rohr family of the 5900 block of Kingsbury has much to celebrate this new year. Congratulations to Melissa Von Rohr on her new position as Quality Assurance Manager for the Jump Co where she had been working freelance for the past year. Jump Co is an ad agency owned by Skinker DeBaliviere resident, Jon Tiede. Not to be outdone, Melissa’s husband, Enrique Von Rohr, started a new position in January as Senior Director, Communications Design Studio at Ascension Health after over 16 years at the Sam Fox School. Tom and Christine Knoten of the block of 6300 Pershing in Parkview are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary this year!

They made a special donation to The Times of Skinker DeBaliviere in honor of their anniversary which is so kind. Congratulations to the Knotens! I’ve often said, my least favorite part of writing this column is reporting on the deaths. It’s not something any of us enjoy, but it’s also a good way to tribute to people who made Skinker DeBaliviere home.

This fall, we lost a few who were big parts of my youth in the neighborhood.

On Monday, October 5, Geraldine “Gerry” Dryden Flynn, passed away. Gerry Flynn was a very longtime resident of the 6100 block of McPherson. Having lived there in her childhood and then with her husband Jack and their eleven children.

I remember Jack Flynn telling me that they had bought their home on McPherson “in a handshake deal with the seller.” When Gerry was getting ready to move out of the neighborhood, I recalling her commenting how for much of her life, she had told time by chimes ringing from St. Roch’s clock.

They used to ring every half hour noting the hour, I too miss that right now. Gerry was a devoted mother, wife, neighbor, and friend. Gerry’s life was celebrated in a mass at St. Roch church on October 17. Our condolences go out to all of the Flynn clan.

Another member of Gerry’s generation and strongwilled member of Skinker DeBaliviere, was my mom, Joan T. Bender. Joan, or Grandma Joan as her children called her, or “Joansie” as Monsignor Polizzi got some of us calling her, passed away on November 24th after suffering from a stroke.

My mom was not a fan of St. Louis when she and my Pop, Rick (Albert) Bender, moved here in 1968.

But she quickly grew to love it, especially, Skinker DeBaliviere.

They selected the neighborhood because of its proximity to Forest Park, and also because the neighborhood was diverse and family friendly (or crawling with kids).

She was one of the many parents when I was growing up who did so much to keep this neighborhood strong, and part of the village (along with Gerry Flynn), who helped raise so many of us growing up here in the 70’s. Joan was active in the rebirth of this neighborhood and never (trust me, never), backed down from a fight. Joan Bender leaves behind five children and spouses, including Beth Bender of the 6000 block of Kingsbury, and myself, of the 6100 block of Kingsbury, and fourteen grandchildren.

In Joan’s later years, when sitting on her porch on Kingsbury, she would ponder her love of this beautiful neighborhood, noting how beautiful it was and what a great place it was to live.

She was right (as two of her children have stayed).

My mom’s life will be celebrated by her family on a later date, when it is safe for us all to gather. And we hope, that we will be able to remember her at our 25th Annual Bender Beach Week this summer, which she and Pop founded. Miss you Joansie. Sadly, we lost yet another longtime neighbor, Gene Hoefel, on December 28th. Gene and Delores Hoefel lived on the 6100 block of McPherson for decades, raising three children there. Gene was professor emeritus at the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts at Washington University and was 86 years old. Gene’s kindness and generosity benefited not only his students, but his neighbors, and Grace Methodist Church.

We send our deepest sympathies to Delores and all of the Hoefel family.

We also lost another neighbor recently, Bob Klepper.

He and wife Nancy lived in Parkview for decades.

This next notification seems terribly unfair and a life cut short.

My heart breaks to share the news of the passing of Leslie Cunningham on December 30th. Leslie lived with her husband Charles and children, Charlie and Annabel, on the 6100 block of Kingsbury.

In addition to spending many pretty days at Missouri Botanical Garden and Forest Park with her family, Leslie enjoyed travel; some of her favorite destinations included Hawaii, Sedona, skiing in Taos, and relaxing on the beaches of Mexico and Florida.

She loved reading, music, and appreciated a good meal with even better company. Leslie had a ready laugh and willing heart.

She was just as quick to find the humor in a situation as she was the humanity in others.

She demonstrated profound kindness and compassion with friends and loved ones who often benefited from her intuitive perspective, genuine empathy, and ability to love without reservation. Leslie’s determined spirit will continue to be an inspiration to everyone who was privileged to know and love her.

I hope that all of you can take something away not from Leslie’s death, but from her life.

Her spirit, determination, and fight should be a reminder to all of us to face our challenges, to live, and most importantly to love.

Her life was celebrated by her family in a private service. Our hearts go out to Charles, Charlie, and Annabel, as well as Leslie’s parents. And just as I am wrapping this article up, I’m sad to report that John Bowe has passed away. John was the oldest of the Bowe children who grew up “back in the day” (my reference to my time growing up here in the 70’s but John was older than me) on the 6100 block of Westminster. Our condolences to John’s wife and children and all the Bowe family.

I hope you will continue to look out for one another and look at the bright side, hopefully we are nearer to the end of the pandemic than the beginning. Be well, be safe, and choose happiness! Do you have news to share?

Please send your submissions via email with the subject line News of Neighbors to rachelb@sdtimes.org or drop off a note to the attention of Rachel Boxdorfer at the Skinker DeBaliviere office. Be sure to mark it “News of Neighbors”.

We love to hear about neighbors accomplishments, awards, travels, weddings, anniversaries, births, and more!