Obituaries

Mary Louise Gitchel

Photo of Mary Louise Gitchel
Mary Louise Gitchel, 92, died June 27, 2013 at Kingswood Senior Living, Kansas City, Mo. after a short period of declining health. Born Oct. 21, 1920, Mary Louise Thomas was raised, attended school and married Don Gitchel (May 1943) in Little Rock, Ark. Following WWII, Mary and Don started a family, moved to Memphis, Tenn. and in 1957, to Prairie Village, where she lived for 57 years. She focused on family, church and community, while raising three children. In the 1970s, she began 17 years of public service she greatly enjoyed as Chief Financial/Administrative Officer, Kansas City Region, US Drug Enforcement Administration. As a founding member of Leawood Baptist Church, she never declined a person or activity needing help, always with a beautiful positive outlook on life and with a smile and encouraging words. Despite failing eyesight she always saw the brightest side of every day. Mary is survived by three children: Donna Baird (Atlanta, Ga); Tom Gitchel and wife, Terry (Fairfax Station, Va.); Gary Gitchel (Oakland, Calif.); and three grandchildren, Brandon Baird; George and Marisa Gitchel. Mary was predeceased by her husband, Don (1997) and grandson, Mark Baird (2002). Visitation will be 2–4 p.m., Monday, July 1, at Mt. Moriah and Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Rd., KCMO. A private burial service will be held Tuesday, July 2, at Ft. Leavenworth National Cemetery, Kan. A celebration of life service will follow at 2 p.m., Tuesday, July 2, at Leawood Baptist Church, 8200 State Line Rd., Leawood, Kan. 66206. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial gift in Mary's memory to Leawood Baptist Church. Mary would most want her legacy to be the encouragement of others to "be a blessing," as she chose to do every day.

Published June 30, 2013

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