Olga Marr

Olga Marr passed away on July 25, 2022. She was a bright, wonderful light of kindness. Olga was born August 6, 1923 in Chicago Illinois to Walter and Jenny Kuzmak. The daughter of a Ukranian immigrant, she grew up on the south side of Chicago, and was often found at her father’s grocery store, but more often at her mother’s side learning her love of cooking in the family kitchen.

Olga gave thought to New York City, and a career in fashion, but as the oldest sibling, her parents insisted she “chaperone” her younger sister Cora as she pursued a career in Hollywood. Olga went west with Cora, where within 2 weeks she would meet the love of her life, Gaylord Marr. Gaylord, from Nebraska, was in Hollywood pursuing a career as a writer and director. They married Christmas Day, 1955. They celebrated their 50th Wedding anniversary just 6 months before Gaylord’s passing in 2006. In Hollywood, Olga designed and made costumes, as Gaylord directed plays. They moved to Kansas City in 1961, when Gaylord accepted a position as a director at the Mark Playhouse in Kansas City. Olga went to work at Price Candy, and years later at the Watson Ess law firm as a legal secretary. In 1965 Gaylord would accept a position teaching at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

While Gaylord was a substantial influence on many of his students, Olga was, in many ways, even more so. She is described by many as the kindest person they have ever met. After Gaylord passed, she lived on her own in her Hyde Park home well past her 97th birthday, where her Sunday dinners for friends were legendary. While she will be missed, her kindness will be an influence on everyone she met for all of our lives.

Olga was preceded in death by her husband, Gaylord Marr, her Brother, Wally Kuzmak and her sister Cora Derbez. She is survived by her sister-in-law Pat Kuzmak, nephews Ed Durbez, Walter Derbez, Greg Durbez and his son Julian Derbez. Her son by choice, Butch Rigby and daughter by choice, Leslie Bayer, along with her other family by choice including Fred Holtz, Ginny Murray, Jan Chevalier, Marti Means, Christy Cubbage, Jerry Grabher and many friends and neighbors who considered her family survive her as well.

Services will be on her 99th birthday, August 6, 2022. At 1pm there will be a Requiem Mass at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 1307 Holmes St, KCMO 64106 and from 3:00 to 4:30 pm there will be a celebration of her life at the home of Butch and Christy Rigby, 204 w. 52nd St. KCMO 64112.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church, 8530 W. 131st Street , Palos Park, IL 60464 or St. Mary's Episcopal Church, 1307 Holmes St., Kansas City, MO 64106.