Mary Elizabeth Brandt Darr

Mary Elizabeth Brandt Darr, 89, of Lee’s Summit, Missouri passed away peacefully on December 24th, 2011. She is survived by her children: Anne Shontz Fenner (Mike), Philip Shontz (Niu Niu Su), Nancy Hollingsworth (Mike), Jennifer Shontz, and Marilyn Kuehn (Tom); grandchildren: Hilary Dessouky, Ben Fenner, Natasha Stevenson, Leyla Hollingsworth, Lisa Hollingsworth, Lennon Hinch, Khan Miyanaga, Lauren Inness, Scott Williams, and Kyle Williams and twelve great-grandchildren, with one due in March. She is survived by siblings: Frances Giffin, Frank Brandt, Fr. Charles A.E. Brandt, erm., and Ella Mae McCue; and by stepson Gene Darr, his two daughters and a host of family. Mary was born on Christmas Day, 1921, in Kansas City, Missouri. She was a very loving and generous person who graduated from Raytown High School in 1938. She was very active throughout her life with her music, even up until her recent admission to hospice. Her career involved working at Robinson shoes, as a reporter for the Raytown News, as a church organist, and in 1992 she retired from the IRS. She loved being a stay at home mom, and was actively involved in her children’s lives, including the Girl Scouts and PTA. She was married to Allan Shontz, the father of her five children. She met and fell in love with Eugene B. Darr and they were married in 1978, for 29 years. They were active in their church, the Shriners and Raytown Historical Society and had a very loving relationship. Gene preceded her in death in 2006. Mary's 90th birthday celebration was held on December 23rd at the Village House with family and friends attending from all over the world. Mary chose to donate her body to science to the University of Kansas Medical Center. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm Friday, December 30, at Old Mission United Methodist Church, at 5519 State Park Road, Fairway, Kansas 66206. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in Mary's memory to the music department of Old Mission United Methodist Church, Cancer Action @ www.canceractionkc.org (816-350-8881), or Village Hospice @John Knox Village, 400 NW Murray Road, Lee’s Summit, Missouri 64081. Condolences may be made at www.mtmoriah-freeman.com.