Camille Etta “Memaw” (Callahan) Carney, 83, of Arnold died July 24, 2024, at her home. In the 1960s, Mrs. Carney donated her blood and was instrumental in the development of the Rho(D) Immune Globulin which allowed women with the Rh-negative blood factor to carry their babies to full-term and experience healthy deliveries. She was an artist and shared her talent with many aspiring artists and friends with her home-based ceramic classes. She was a shop owner in Kimmswick from 1991 to 2007. Her shop “Camilles” was known for its hand-painted ceramics, Beanie Babies and a variety of other hand-crafted items and gifts. She was also influential and helped create the Kimmswick Visitor Center. She was president of The St. Louis Track Club from 1990 to 1993 and received a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001 for her service and dedication to the club. She also served her community as an election judge for many years. Mrs. Carney loved to travel, experience new things and see new places. She loved traveling with her husband and supported his love of running marathons, half marathons and 10k races. She especially loved visiting Hawaii and Washington DC with her husband and track club friends. She visited The Holy Land with a group from her church and strengthened her Christian beliefs. She took a cruise through the Panama Canal and another cruise to The British Isles with her siblings-in-law. However, her favorite place was her cabin along the Black River which her grandfather, Jacob H. Buffington, built and where she met her husband. She loved spending time there with not only her family and friends but with her dogs and grand dogs. She would often be sitting on the porch, reading or sharing stories of her ancestry and love of nature. She will be remembered for her many talents, willingness to help anyone in need and her kindness. Born Aug. 19, 1940, in St. Louis, she was the daughter of the late Melville J. and Loretta F. (Buffington) Callahan.
She is survived by her husband of 67 years: James P. Carney; two children: Deborah C. (Wayne) Holborow and Sean P. (Stacey) Carney; six grandchildren: Matthew (Wendy Bussen) Holborow, Lauren (Stephen) Smith, Michael (Haley) Holborow, Ryan (Juli Sanning) Holborow, Logan (Bailey) Carney and Ana (Joe Butcher) Carney; seven great-grandchildren: Cash Holborow, Evan Holborow, Brennan Smith, Tristan Smith, Cora Holborow, Camille Holborow and Ivy Sanning; a brother: James P. (Martha) Callahan of Nashville, Tenn.; three sisters-in-law: Rita A. Carney of St. Louis, Judy Carney of Rogers, Ark., and Polly Callahan of Nashville, Tenn.; and many other family members and friends.
She was preceded in death by a stillborn son: James Paul Carney; a newborn daughter: Mary Rose Carney; a stillborn grandson: Greyson Stuart Carney; a brother: Gary D. Callahan; and two brothers-in-law: John P. Carney and Thomas M. Carney.
A private celebration of life will be held at a later date.