Obituary of Merry Denise (Saunders) Livingston

Memorial Services for Merry Denise “Dee” Saunders Livingston of Winfield, MO will be at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 29, 2023 at Carter-Ricks Funeral Home near Winfield. Pastor Wes Denham of Calvary Chapel of Troy will officiate with inurnment in Whispering Winds Cemetery near Winfield. Dee, 60, passed away early Thursday morning, July 13, 2023 at Mercy Hospital in Creve Coeur, MO. Born August 29, 1962 in Benton, IL, she was the daughter of Dennis Allen and Merry Louise Reed Saunders. Denise was employed for many years as a waitress, and was currently working as a cook at T&T Meat Cuts & Deli in Winfield. Dee integrated her exceptional cooking and serving skills into her family’s lives every opportunity that she was given. She could whip up a meal in record time, large enough to have leftovers to send home with anyone. Her creativity with recipe was delicious. Her nine grandchildren enjoyed her many scrumptious desserts, some even learning how to cook by her instructions, to which she would eagerly exclaim, “Let’s Chef It Up!”. Dee’s shopping escapades were never entirely for her own needs as she always looked out for the needs of others. You name it, she shared it. Her armloads of clothing, food and bargain finds would be doled out to whomever it would fit or whomever needed it, with never a second thought. Many times the recipients being her grandchildren, or the “extra” grandchildren she loved. Grandma Dee’s birthday gifts were bags full of an eclectic assortment of over-the-top fun! There was no such thing as “too much” in her vocabulary. Grandma Dee loved to experience her grandchildren’s creativity. Her craft table, overflowing with collected crafting items from A to Z, was a choice spot for her to sit along side her grandchildren creating numerous items to give as gifts, or for them to display in their rooms. Grandma Dee appreciated every moment that she was given to encourage and cheer for her grandchildren, and they all will carry those memories with them forever. She put her whole heart into everything she did and everyone she met. She will be missed beyond measure. She was preceded in death by her mother, Merry Saunders; and her father and step-mother, Dennis and Virginia Saunders and longtime companion, Charles Mershon. Survivors include her children: Nick Howard of Troy, MO, Derek Howard and his wife, Tiffany, of Silex, MO, Chris Cichon and his wife, Rachel, of Winfield, and Stephanie Mackenberg of Winfield; and nine grandchildren: Stella Howard, Taylor and Paisley Howard, Lexi Stanley, Cruz Cichon, Ryder Cichon and Chase Cichon, Kolby Calvin and Kenlee Hamilton. Dee also leaves three brothers: Tom Saunders and his companion, Trisha Heffner, of Winfield, Mike White and his wife, Dee Dee, of Troy, and Clancy White and his wife, Kristy, of Du Quoin, IL; two sisters: Ruth Teel and her husband, Joe, of West Frankfort, IL and Brenda Gross and her husband, Scott, of Bellflower, MO; her best friend, Gerry Shepherd of Troy; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Visitation will be held from 12:00 noon until the time of Memorial Services at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 29, 2023 at Carter-Ricks Funeral Home in Winfield. Memorials may be made to Treehouse of Greater St. Louis in care of Carter-Ricks Funeral Home, 3838 East Highway 47, P.O. Box 253, Winfield, MO 63389. Online condolences may be made at www.carterricksfuneralhome.com.