Marla Jo Scissors, an accomplished pastry chef, who was supported by family members and many friends in her long struggle against amytrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also called Lou Gehring’s Disease, died Saturday, June 21, 2008 at her Creve Coeur home. She was 39 years old.

Ms. Scissors was born in St. Louis on Oct. 22, 1968. She was a graduate of Horton Watkins Ladue High School, and received a degree in women’s studies and psychology from Emory University, and a Pastry Certificate from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y., one of the nation’s leading culinary schools.

Ms. Scissors started the Pastry Department at Companion Bakery in St. Louis, after an internship at the Ritz Carlton in Amelia Island, Fla. She started the entire pastry line at Companion Bakery and also worked at the Kitchen Conservatory on Clayton Road. She was highly regarded in the profession for her skills as a pastry chef, and knowledge of food and nutritional science.

Marla Scissors was the subject of an extensive article by Victoria Siegel, which appeared in the Dec. 26, 2007 edition of the St. Louis Jewish Light. The article focused on Ms. Scissors’ struggles with the devastating effects of ALS and of the strong support she received from family members and friends, who organized a benefit for the ALS Division of the Muscular Dystrophy Association. The event was called “You Take the Cake” in honor of Ms. Scissors’ skills as a pastry chef, and was hosted at Congregation Shaare Emeth, where she had been active with the Shaare Emeth Temple Youth Group, and where her family has been active for many years.

The benefit event was described by Siegel as “a combination love-fest for Marla Scissors and fund raiser for Muscular Dystrophy Association’s ALS Division.” Siegel quoted Scissors as saying, “I’m counting down the days. I’m sure it’s going to be a fun party because my friends are planning it.” The article further points out that ten women who organized the fund raiser had known Marla for as far back as 25 years, who “tapped their resources, creativity and expertise to create this special event.” Among the organizers of the event were Susan Lipsitz Cohen, Cathy Sullivan, Karen Sher, and Ann Mayer Eisen. Desserts and gift certificates were donated for the silent auction by Companion Bakery, Sugary Baking Company, Wapango, Lake Forest Confections and Designing Chefs Catering, among others.

Sullivan described the goal of the event as “to raise awareness about ALS and what Marla is going through. What an incredible friend, sister, aunt and daughter she is. We really love her.”

The event was highly successful, surpassing its goal and raising $31,000 to help fight ALS. Susan Lipsitz Cohen said that the event had brought together many people who had first become friends in youth group. Cohen said “a friend of ours who grew up in Peoria, Chana Fitton, who we all met at a youth group conference back then….developed a list of who’s bringing Marla her meals. People are taking Marla shopping and to get manicures and pedicures and sending her baked goods.”

Ms. Scissors herself said that the feelings of friendship and affection went both ways. “I have an amazing group of friends and family. I don’t know what I did to deserve all of this love. They shop, bring ice cream, cook and do anything I need.”

The article also described how Ms. Scissors received the diagnosis of the rare disease in August of 2006. When she received the shocking news she had to come to terms with the grim prognosis. She said, “I have the ability to come to terms with my life so that when the end does come, I can have this sense of peace. I want to clear up relationships and express all of my feelings so people know that I love them. I am choosing to control as much of the dying process as possible. I want the quality of my life to be as good as possible, according to my own terms.”

Rabbis, family members and friends were in full agreement that Marla Scissors had accomplished the goals which she had set for herself and those close to her. Carol Wolf, a fellow member of Congegation Shaare Emeth, noted that the Torah Portion for that week “was about character, which seems appropriate, because Marla had character in abundance.”

The legacy of Marla Scissors and her brave struggle against ALS with the support of family and friends was in strong evidence at last weekend’s ALS Association, St. Louis Regional Chapter’s Annual Walk to Defeat ALS, Mark Scissors told the Jewish Light.

“We were very proud that we had 65 people walking to fight ALS in memory of Marla for her team, called ‘The Cutting Edge.’ We really felt her presence continuing this vital work,” he said.

Funeral services were held last week at Congregation Shaare Emeth, where Rabbis Andrea Goldstein and Michael Moskowitz, with the participation of Rabbi Jeffrey B. Stiffman and Rabbi Anne Belford, officiated. Also taking part in the service were Cantor Seth Warner of Shaare Emeth and Rabbi Susan Talve of Central Reform Congregation. Warm words of tribute and fond remembrance were offered by the rabbis, family members and friends.

“Marla Scissors was one of the Good People,” said Rabbi Goldstein. “She was intelligent, gracious and kind.”

In his remarks, Irl Scissors, Marla’s brother, spoke of their family life together. “Growing up, we spent a great deal of time with our family. Marla had a special fondness for my mom’s parents (the late Bert and Ellen Rosen,) called ‘Campa’ and ‘Gram.’ At an early age, Campa and Gram gave us an appreciation for the finer things, the Symphony, the Art Museum, ballet; simple pleasures too, like feeding the ducks at Forest Park, going to the Zoo. Though Marla was six when Gram died, she left a great impact on Marla’s life as my aunt recalled yesterday — Marla’s appreciation for things that were pretty.” He also recalled Marla’s fondness for their late grandfather Bert’s second wife, Ruth, “who introduced Marla to a whole new set of influences.”

Irl Scissors also spoke admiringly of his sister’s dedication to her work. “She was a master of her craft, fully absorbed in her work, weighing and measuring ingredients like a chemist in a laboratory.” He acknowledged feeling anger at losing his sister at such a young age, and how he was comforted by the words of Luke Russert, the son of Tim Russert, who said he was grateful for having had his dad for 22 years. “Having Marla for 39 years was truly a miracle.”

Burial was at the New Mount Sinai Cemetery in Affton.

Survivors include her parents, Mark and Lee Scissors; a brother, Irl Scissors (Jennifer); a grandmother, Ruth Rosen (the late Bert), an aunt and uncle, Lynn Rosen Barth (Bob) of St. Louis, and aunt and uncle, Steve and Cynthia Scissors Levin, of San Francisco and nephews Griffin and Dylan Scissors, children of Irl and Jennifer Scissors.

Contributions in memory of Marla Scissors are preferred to the ALS Association, 2258 Weldon Parkway, St. Louis, MO 63l46; or to the ALS Division of the Muscular Dystrophy Association, 345 Marshall Road, #101A, St. Louis, MO 63119, or to Hiefer International, www.heifer.org.