ST. CLEMENT, Mo. — If the stories left out are half as good as the ones which were told, Talley Saucier is beyond remarkable and closer to legendary.

The retired Bowling Green businesswoman and community booster was good-naturedly skewered at the Champ Clark Honey Shuck Restoration Inc. Annual Roast.

The fund-raiser attended by more than 130 family and friends was held Oct. 5 at the Knight of Columbus Hall in St. Clement. Honey Shuck Board Member Milan Berry was master of ceremonies.

Those on hand included Clark’s great-grandson, Ben Clark, and David Hungate, son of the late congressman and federal judge William Hungate and his wife, Dorothy, who were instrumental in preserving Champ’s home, Honey Shuck.

Two other board members, Rebecca Glenn and Erin Sommer, kicked the evening off with a skit that highlighted Talley’s communication skills over the decades, including her present ability to use social media more than zit-faced teenagers.

“Just call Talley and the news gets out,” Glenn reported.

Talley’s husband, Jim, remained contentedly quiet for the evening. So, who better than a son to spill the beans?

James Saucier offered yarns about puke, pie and pranks, along with more common knowledge about his mother’s propensity to loudly voice her opinions.

The upchuck incident happened on a college date with Jim, Talley unleashed…uh…technicolor projectiles in the car after indulging what James called “a little too much” at a sorority party mixer.

Acknowledged as a devoted Presbyterian, Talley can still be a bit devilish. She gets around with a scooter, which takes a bit to unload from a vehicle. A man once yelled at the Saucier’s for momentarily blocking the driveway at a Kirkwood restaurant. James recalled what his mother unabashedly told the guy.

“She said ‘One day, you’ll get old, you a——,’” James said. “Then, she flipped him off. All of the people on the patio (of the restaurant) started applauding.”

James commended his mother for marrying well, saying his father had the equivalent today of $7,000 in the bank when they took their vows. Talley had all of 37 cents.

The force of nature specifically said she would not participate if Bill McIlroy was one of the roasters. Too bad, so sad.

“I have a lot of stories, but I’ll be careful,” said the prominent attorney, who was the first Honey Shuck roastee in 2021.

McIlroy offered another vomit anecdote. Talley became ill on a scuba trip, but the divemaster refused to return to port and wasn’t about to let her barf onboard. Instead, a flotation device was placed in the water and tied to the back of the boat.

“She was out on the innertube throwing up,” McIlroy said to hearty laughter.

Another trip, this one by small plane, caused Talley to worry about whether she’d need to relieve herself before reaching the destination. In addition to luggage, she brought along a potty can.

“She said ‘It has to be Folgers because it has a big lid,’” said McIlroy, who added that the tin thankfully was not used.

Roaster Mary Millan marveled at Talley’s toughness. The scooter flipped once when Talley took a corner too fast. Instead of accepting an offer of help, she threatened to shoot the do-gooder.

“I would recommend that the next time she falls, make sure she’s OK and then walk off,” Millan said.

Former Pike County Presiding Commissioner Chris Gamm made note of the roastee’s occasional fender benders.

“Talley’s touched everybody here,” he said. “I don’t know how many thousands, and not just with a car bumper.”

Gamm, a Republican, almost was shown the door when he pulled out a hat, wine bottle and bumper sticker supporting former president and 2024 GOP candidate Donald Trump. Talley is a dyed-in-the-wool Democrat.

“I thought I loved you,” she told Gamm.

Roaster Sonya Gilbert thanked Talley for being such a strong role model for women – and for introducing her to chocolate martinis.

“I’ve heard more stories than I can repeat,” Gilbert said. “To this day, I don’t repeat them.”

Despite the jabs, roasters in the end had nothing but praise.

“Talley is one of my great friends and I’m honored to be here,” McIlroy noted.

“I love you like a sister,” Gamm said. “We’ve been through a lot. We’ve shed tears together and we’ve done a lot of laughing together.”

Gilbert said Talley is “like my second mother” and is “probably the biggest advocate for people who need help.”

At points during the evening, Talley held her head in her hands as she endured the slings. But while holding back tears, she offered gratitude.

“All of you, thank you, thank you, thank you, I’ve had fun tonight.”

Proceeds from ticket sales and a live auction of items will help with operations of Honey Shuck.