Carlene M. Masters

   Carlene M. Masters, nee Fiester, aged 100, formerly of Maplewood Missouri, passed away at St. Elizabeth Hospital, O’Fallon, Illinois on August 22, 2025, with family by her side. She resided at Brightly Senior Living since August 2020 in Mascoutah, Illinois.

   Carlene was born April 22, 1925, in Laporte, PA, daughter of Dewey and Alice Fiester (nee Hinds). She was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers (Myron, Paul, Donald, and Bertram) and one sister (Margaret Rae Strover). She is survived by a sister, Joan McMahon of Dushore, PA, her niece Faith McMahon of Florida, who visited often, and many other nieces and nephews and their families.

   Carlene married Stan Masters on June 7, 1947, in PA. The young couple moved back to Stan’s hometown of St. Louis in 1948, where, until Stan died in 2005, she supported his creative energies. Early in their marriage, Stan wrote and produced films and Carlene assisted in every aspect- from narration to special effects. His film, “The Storm”, which won first place in the 1963 “nature category” of the Cannes Film Festival, could not have been made without her collaboration. Later, when he became a professional watercolor artist, they traveled widely, and Carlene took a job at KV Pharmaceutical to provide additional income. There she met some of her closest lifelong friends.

   Carlene was a fan of crossword puzzles, an avid reader and regular patron of the Maplewood Public Library, where she was a frequent visitor and friend of the staff.

   Ever curious and engaged, she enjoyed music of all kinds and a wide variety of activities- from visits to the Missouri Botanical Garden to see orchids and cacti, to outings to the rock and mineral shows to see geodes and fossils.

   Quick to smile, Carlene loved to laugh and relished a good story and a bad pun. She loved all animals, especially cats.

   Carlene’s kind heart and gentle spirit will be missed by all who knew her and regrets not being able to keep up with all her nieces and nephews, and their families in Pennsylvania. She is doubly thankful for the love and help from Stan’s side of the family in Missouri and Illinois.

   We would especially like to thank the staff at Brightly Senior Living for all the help and joy they gave to Carlene.

   In lieu of all other gifts, memorials may be made in Carlene’s name to your local animal shelter. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting mollfuneralhome.com.

   FUNERAL: A private burial will be held on Sept. 3, 2025, at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, MO.