Mary Kathryn Ashley Meek, affectionately known as Mary Kay, passed away peacefully on July 31, 2025, at the age of 80. She was surrounded by her devoted family at her home in Springfield, following a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer's disease. She leaves behind a legacy of generosity, service, style, sophistication, and love that profoundly shaped her family, community, and all who were fortunate enough to know her.

Born on March 28, 1945, in Granite City, Illinois, Mary Kay moved to Springfield as a child when her father, Dr. Thomas Ashley, joined the Smith, Glynn, Callaway Clinic. She attended grade school at St. Agnes, where she met her future husband, Terry Meek—the best friend of her older brother John. Their bond grew over time, beginning with a first kiss on New Year's Eve in 1960 and culminating in a marriage on November 18, 1967, that lasted 57 years.

Mary Kay attended St. Agnes High School, where she was a cheerleader and graduated with the class of 1963. She continued her education at the University of Missouri, earning a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1966. While at Mizzou, she joined the Chi Omega sorority and became a lifelong Tigers fan. She maintained treasured friendships from both high school and college throughout her life.

Her early career as a public school teacher laid the foundation for a life devoted to service. Mary Kay's passion for her community was boundless. Over the years, she served as president or chair of numerous organizations, including the Junior League of Springfield, the Greene County Board for the Developmentally Disabled, United Way of the Ozarks, Community Foundation of the Ozarks, Springfield Catholic School Board, Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, Springfield Building and Development Corporation, and Jordan Valley Community Health Center. She also lent her time and talent to the boards of the Springfield Little Theatre, Ozarks Public Television, the Springfield Symphony, and many more organizations, which all benefited from her leadership and compassion.

In addition to her community service, Mary Kay worked in the business world as a real estate broker, developer, and property manager. She was president of Trymeek Corporation, the real estate division of Meek's Building Centers, and served as Director of Community Relations for Meek's. She was also a director at Commerce Bank of Springfield.

In recognition of her tireless service and trailblazing leadership, Mary Kay was honored with the Springfieldian Award in 1992 by the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, becoming the first woman ever to receive the distinction. She also earned the Lifetime Achievement in Business Award from the Springfield Business Journal and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Junior League. Never one to shy away from the spotlight when it served a good cause, she won Dancing with Our Stars in 2009, delighting the Springfield Catholic Schools community with her signature blend of poise and humor.

Active, competitive, playful, and athletic, Mary Kay loved tennis, golf, sailing, skiing, hiking, biking, running, and dancing. She took pride in winning many local tennis tournaments in the 1980s and '90s and thrived in any activity that brought people together in fun and fellowship. She was also a dedicated Girl Scout and Cub Scout leader and a parishioner of Immaculate Conception Church, where she lived out her faith through action and kindness.

Mary Kay was known for her elegance, energy, and compassion. She was always impeccably dressed, always ready to work or play, and always making those around her feel special. She adored throwing tea parties for her grandchildren and hosting elaborate Fourth of July celebrations for her extended family. She made her children feel as if they were the center of her world and boasted of their successes while ignoring their failures. She met every role in life—wife, mother, grandmother, friend, volunteer, leader—with dignity, humility, and heart.

She is survived by her husband, Terry O. Meek of Springfield; her son, Charles Meek, and his wife, Laura, of Springfield; her daughter, Annie Meek Montgomery, and her husband, David, of Brooklyn, N.Y.; her daughter, Margaret Meek of Boulder, Colo.; her son, Michael Meek, and his wife, Katie, of Minneapolis, Minn.; 14 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; her brothers, James Ashley (Dorothy) and Michael Ashley, M.D. (Gayle); and her sisters, Patricia Hiscock (Edward), Jane Ashley, Jennifer Blank (Martin), and Susan Pomerenke (David). She was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas Ashley, M.D., and Mary Ashley; her brother, John Ashley, M.D. (Elyse); and her sisters, Martha Ashley and Cynthia Ashley.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, August 8, at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home. The Mass of Resurrection will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 9, at St. Agnes Cathedral, with the Rev. Lewis Henja as celebrant. Burial will follow in Resurrection Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to Breakthrough T1D (formerly Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) ( https://www.breakthrought1d.org/ ) or Abilities First ( https://abilitiesfirst.net/ ). The family would like to extend special thanks to Debbie Amtower and Wendy Bovine with Access Hospice, and to Caroline McReynolds with Home Instead, who filled Mary Kay's final years with laughter and love.

Mary Kay lived a life of uncommon grace, tireless generosity, and unwavering love. Her spirit will continue to guide her family and community for generations to come.