Jean Ann Smith

Jean Ann Bailey Smith, 69, of Kansas City and St. Joseph, passed away Thursday, November 9, 2017, at the Carondelet Manor in Kansas City under the care of Ascend Hospice. She attended St. Francis Xavier grade school and Bishop LeBlond High School in St. Joseph. Her college degree was awarded from Mount St. Scholastica (now Benedictine) College in Atchison, Kansas, graduating with a degree in Sociology in 1971. She attended Avila College in Kansas City to earn her Bachelor of Social Work, and was awarded her M.S.W. degree from the University of Kansas.

Jean married Stephen M. Smith on October 17, 1981, and he survives at the home in Kansas City. During their long marriage, Jean and Steve enjoyed their time with family and friends and they loved to entertain. As Jean’s health declined, Steve was a devoted caretaker and constant companion. He cared for her selflessly through the end of her life.

A lifelong Beatles fan and music lover, Jean was a great singer and enthusiastic dancer. She particularly enjoyed home entertaining and there would always be sing-along and dancing. She was a sports player, chiefly volleyball and swimming, and she was a sports fan, chiefly the Chiefs! A lifelong Democrat, she was an admirer of Presidents Kennedy, Clinton, and Obama. She reflected that same spirit of service in her professional life. Jean’s career began with her establishing a Social Services department at St. Joseph’s Hospital in her hometown. She moved to Kansas City and worked as an intern and then as an employee of Good Shepherd Manor. She joined the staff of United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Kansas City (now Open Options Inc.), eventually serving as the Director of Family Services. She retired after a 37- year career there, during which time she was a founding member of The Whole Person, a nonprofit organization offering social services to the disabled. She spent many years successfully writing grant proposals at UCP for grants from charitable organizations serving the disabled. She served on the Mayor’s Advisory Committee for the Disabled during the terms of Emanuel Cleaver (1991-1999).

Jean’s survivors include her mother, Virginia Bailey; her sisters, Mary Bailey; Patricia (Brad) Rhodes and Marge Bailey (Gary Mongiovi); and her brother Bill (Martha) Bailey.

Visitation will be from 12-1 pm with funeral services beginning at 1 pm on Tuesday, November 14, at the McGilley Memorial Chapel, 12301 State Line Road, in Kansas City, Mo. A memorial service will be held at a later date at St. Francis Xavier Church in St. Joseph.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in Jean’s name to The Whole Person, 3710 Main Street, Kansas City, MO 64111 or to the American Civil Liberties Union, 125 Broad Street, 18th floor, New York, New York 10004.