Mary K. Mcnamara

Mary McNamara, born February 11, 1938 to Matt and Katherine Jaksa, completed her journey to the Lord on September 22, 2018. Mary and her late husband, John, raised 7 children together and doted on their 9 grandchildren. A proud Croatian, she grew up in the Strawberry Hill area of KCK and was a graduate of Bishop Ward High School class of 1956. She made wonderful povitica with her sister Rosalie, and enjoyed tamburitzan music.
There was something about Mary. . . Most noted was her preference for the color red and her gallery wall of uniquely framed family photos. She enjoyed giving pleasure to her loved ones through food. Her affinity for preparing large meals remained with her as the family under her roof diminished. Despite this, she continued to buy in bulk and maintained a "more than plenty" supply of both food and personal items.
An avid sports fan, she coached grade school softball (Monica). She also enjoyed Jims grade school football games, and Gregs high school football and baseball games. She and her husband traveled widely to watch Greg play baseball as a K State Wildcat. She also enjoyed following her grandchildrens activities including: dance, swimming, football, soccer and singing.
She and husband John cooked spaghetti dinners for the Wyandotte County food kitchen and were very active with the Christ the King Church community in KCK. She was a Bluebird and Scout leader, active in grade school Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), and ran an in-home daycare. In her later years, she also worked for Bruns Pharmacy in KCK. She loved to watch KU basketball, Notre Dame football, the Chiefs and the Royals. She coached from her chair and would "miss" her childrens phone calls if they happened during a game.
After Mr. Macs passing she moved to Johnson County, joining Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Here she became an avid knitter teaming up with her new-found friend Lois to make hats and scarves for the Johnson County Christmas Bureau. In her home, she loved the sounds of her grandfather clock chiming every quarter hour and decorated with the colors for the season or holidays in flags, special towels, or other items such as paper towel holders, self-made ceramics or other knick knacks. Jigsaws puzzles were both a pastime and a passion of Marys over decades. She favored the most colorful ones and with unusual borders.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, husband, John, siblings, Raymond and Sister Catherine, (nee Loretta), and daughter-in-law, Sarah (James). She is survived by children Monica (Jim Twigg), Jane Gronevelt (Scott), John, James, Mary K., Margaret, and Greg (Anna), 9 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, and siblings, Frank, Rosalie Podrebarac, Matthew, and Joan.
Services for Mary will be Friday, September 28 with visitation from 10 to 11 am followed by a funeral mass, both at Christ the King Catholic Church, 3024 N. 53rd Street, Kansas City, KS. Mary will be entombed at Gates of Heaven Cemetery, 126th Parallel Parkway in Kansas City, KS.
The family wishes to thank KC Hospice and the Servants of Mary Ministers to the Sick for their care during the final part of Marys journey. Donations may be made to the Servants of Mary Ministers to the Sick at 800 N. 18th Street, Kansas City, KS.
Arrangements: Skradski Funeral Home, 340 N. 6th Street, Kansas City, KS 913-371-1404


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SERVICES Visitation
Friday, September 28, 2018 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Christ the King Catholic Church 3014 N. 53rd St Kansas City, Kansas 66104
Mass of Christian Burial
Friday, September 28, 2018 11:00 AM
Christ the King Catholic Church 3014 N. 53rd St Kansas City, Kansas 66104
Burial
Friday, September 28, 2018 12:45 PM
Gate of Heaven Catholic Cemetery State Kansas City, Kansas