In Memoriam

We strive to bring you the most up-to-date alumni news, especially regarding those Saint Marians who have passed away. Please note that due to publishing deadlines, the obituaries in this edition of the Aspire are through Sept. 20, 2024. Any obituary received after this date will appear in the next edition of the Aspire.

’50s
Maryellen Connor, C’51, Lee’s Summit, Missouri, died on May 31, 2024. She made lifelong friends at Saint Mary, one of whom set her up on a blind date with Joseph Connor. Joe and “Goldie,” as he called her, dated for six weeks before they decided to spend the rest of their lives together. They married on June 6, 1953, and within the next seven years, welcomed four children. After Joe died in 2004, Maryellen continued to be a joyous, active member of her family. She unfailingly attended sporting events, music recitals, and any activity where she could revel in being her children’s and grandchildren’s biggest fan.

Sister Mary Lou Mendel, C’51, Leavenworth, Kansas, died on Aug. 4, 2024. She was a Sister of Charity of Leavenworth for 72 years. Sister Mary Lou earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Saint Mary College and a second master’s degree from the University of Wyoming. She taught in schools across Kansas, Missouri, Montana, and Nebraska. In 1982, Sister Mary Lou returned to Montana, where she lived for 39 years. She first served as Pastoral Minister and then as Parish Administrator.

Jeannine A. Mock, C’51, Olathe, Kansas, died on May 28, 2023. She earned music education and music degrees from Saint Mary and did extensive graduate work at the University of Kansas. She began her teaching career as a high school music teacher, teaching in Plains and Burlington, Kansas. Her high school students won many awards under her direction. Jeannine moved to Johnson County in 1956, where she taught for 20 years at Highlands Elementary School in Mission, Kansas. In 1977, she was a founding member of the music group, The Sounds of Joy. She coordinated and played with this group for 25 years. She played for the Gospel Choir at St. Therese Little Flower Catholic Church for 20 years, filling in at times after retiring from that group around 1999 and continued to play with a small group from Holy Cross Church in Overland Park as well.

Rosemary Banta, C’53, Independence, Missouri, died on July 1, 2024. Prior to her junior year in 1955, Rosemary fulfilled her aspirations of devoting her life to the Catholic Church, joining the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth. During that time, Rosemary was dedicated to educating youth in Laramie and Sheridan, Wyoming, and Topeka and Kansas City, Kansas. She left the convent at 36 and moved to Kansas City, Missouri, taking a teaching position in the Raytown School District. During this time, Rosemary was introduced to another motivated and interesting teacher, Byron Banta. They were married in 1976 and spent their lives devoted to one another until Byron’s passing in 2018.

Jo Ann Grieb Birg, C’56, Thousands Oak, California, died on March 13, 2024. Hailing from Kansas City, Missouri, Jo Ann moved to California with dreams of warmer weather after graduating from Saint Mary College. Shortly after moving, she joined the Los Angeles Higher Ups social club, where her life changed after dancing with a handsome stranger at a Saint Patrick’s Day party. She would later marry that handsome stranger, Joe, and they would have five children and seven grandchildren. She loved nothing more than her family and God, as she was a devout Catholic and member of St. Paschal Catholic Church for more than 50 years.

JoAnn M. McLeod, C’56, Butte, Montana, died on March 19, 2024. JoAnn and her husband, Jack, had four boys and their precious daughter, Mary Ann. In 1971, life changed for the McLeod family when, at age four, Mary Ann contracted Viral Encephalitis and, after 63 days in a coma, was diagnosed as developmentally impaired. Not only did she care for Mary Ann, but JoAnn also became an advocate for disabled individuals. In 1977, Gov. Tom Judge appointed JoAnn to the Montana Board of the Disabled. Shortly thereafter, in order to address local school problems, she ran for and was elected as a trustee of School District #1. She spent the remainder of her life as a true advocate.

Sister Mary Cecile Breen, C’57, Leavenworth, Kansas, died on July 18, 2024. She was a Sister of Charity of Leavenworth for 70 years. Throughout her lifetime, Sister Cele was an excellent teacher. She captured simply and profoundly the riches of the Christian faith tradition through her love and vast knowledge of scripture. Her work in social justice drew Sister Cele to become an advocate for the end of nuclear weapons. In 2013, she was arrested for trespassing during a protest at the Kansas City Plant/Honeywell Federal Manufacturing and Technologies. During the trial, she spoke about the destruction nuclear weapons can cause and said, “The only thing I would say I’m guilty of is that I’m 77 years old, and only in the last few years have I been active on this. I am guilty of being so late in putting my body and my voice on the line.”

Joan Eleanor Allwin, C’58, Independence, Missouri, died on March 31, 2024. Joan’s passion for medical technology led her to intern at Providence Hospital to become a certified medical technologist with the American Society for Clinical Pathology. She dedicated numerous years of service at Lab Corp Reference Lab before retiring in 2005. Her commitment and hard work left a lasting impact on those she worked with and the health care community as a whole. She cherished moments spent with her grandkids above all else. She also enjoyed traveling and made unforgettable memories traveling to Rome, the Vatican, and Egypt to witness the wonders of the world.

Joan Leticia Garrett Kelly, C’58, Fort Worth, Texas, died on Aug. 11, 2024. She was a graduate of the Providence Hospital School of Nursing and a retiree of American Airlines. She had two daughters, two stepdaughters, 12 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren.

Kathleen Mann Pritchett, C’58, Houston, Texas, died on July 9, 2024. Kay and her husband, Charlie, moved to Houston in 1982. She was not afraid to try new things, including hot air balloon rides, learning to snow ski at age 57, and a taking trip to Ireland to see and visit with relatives. She volunteered at the church and all the activities her kids participated in.

Doris A. Meier, C’59, Topeka, Kansas, died on Nov. 24, 2023. In 1962, Doris married Raymond Meier who was a vegetable farmer and ran a roadside market with his two brothers. They were married for 52 years until his death in 2014. Doris worked in the vegetable market for J.C. Meier and Sons until her retirement in 2015. She was an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and St. Anthony’s Guild. Doris shared her sewing talents, embroidering many beautiful tea towels for the church’s summer social.

’60s
Karen J. Kosmicki, C’63, Overland Park, Kansas, died on March 27, 2024. In 1964, she was united in marriage to Donald Kosmicki. They lived in St. Joseph, Missouri, and South Dakota prior to making Overland Park their home. Karen was a member of Queen of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church. She cherished time with her grandchildren and had many interests, including gardening, sewing, cooking, and spending time with friends. Karen also enjoyed delivering food to seniors through Meals on Wheels.

Sister Carolyn Francis Hupperts C’66, St. Louis, Missouri, died on June 26, 2023. She began her ministry in education, teaching in several schools in Illinois and Missouri. She later transitioned to pastoral ministry. Sister Carolyn retired in 2008 but continued to serve others through her volunteer activities, especially at Carondelet Community Betterment Federation. She moved to Nazareth Living Center in 2020 and continued to carry out her ministry of prayer and presence.

Jane M. Schuele C’66, Atchison, Kansas, died on September 10, 2024, after an 18-year courageous battle with cancer. She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Karl Schuele, and her four children. She worked at Benedictine College for 32 years, contributing to various roles, including the Maintenance Department and the Executive MBA program. However, she was best known for her work as a library assistant for interlibrary loans, earning the nickname “Library Jane” before retiring in 2022.

Alice M. Marcum, C’67, Leavenworth, Kansas, died on March 13, 2024. She devoted much of her life to social work while working at the VA and at Catholic Charities in Leavenworth and was an active volunteer in the community. She also managed three H&R Block offices with her husband, Jack, for many years. Alice loved spending time with her children and grandchildren as well as her brothers and sisters and their families.

Sister Julia Golkoski, C’68, Leavenworth, Kansas, died on July 3, 2024. She was a Sister of Charity of Leavenworth for 70 years. Sister Julia embarked on a diverse ministry in education, serving as a teacher and principal in schools across Colorado, Kansas, Illinois, Missouri, Montana, Oklahoma, and Wyoming. She retired in 2005, but it did not mark the end of her service, as she continued to volunteer at the SCL Mother House. She worked with the transportation department, organizing schedules and driving sisters to Kansas City and Leavenworth appointments.

Ret. Lt. Col. Teresa Josette “Terry” Stremel, C’68, Olathe, Kansas, died on March 4, 2024. Terry’s commitment to justice and service guided her to the UMKC School of Law, setting the stage for a distinguished legal and military career. In 1975, she enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, where she served with honor and distinction as a staff judge advocate. Her exemplary service culminated in her retirement with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 2003. Following her military career, Terry continued her legal work as an attorney for NASA in Washington, D.C. Terry’s personal life was as rich and fulfilling as her professional one. She was a devoted mother to her two children and had one granddaughter.

’70s
June Louise Nold, C’73, Kansas City, Missouri, died on May 31, 2024. She was surrounded by four generations of family. After graduating from Saint Mary, June and two friends drove to Denver without ever having filled up her own gas tank prior. Her ambition, work ethic, and intelligence led to being an early trailblazer as a woman in management. She would go above and beyond to provide tools and opportunities to help people overcome obstacles, truly caring about her employees.

David M. Kovac, C’78, Kansas, City, Kansas, died on April 12, 2024. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and served his country proudly. Throughout his life, David was a member of many charitable and veterans’ organizations, including the Knights of Columbus and the Disabled American Veterans. David was known throughout his community as a kindhearted person who never hesitated to help anyone in need. He was a dedicated son to his mother, Sophia, and provided care for her until her passing at the age of 103.

Condolences
Karyn M. Moore, C’95, Thornton, Colorado, lost her husband, Ryan, on July 18, 2024.