Roma Lynn Cartwright

Roma Cartwright made her final journey on the morning of February 8th after a valiant struggle with Alzheimer’s. The family is thankful to the staff of Senior Care Homes for the wonderful and loving care they provided over the past three months.

Roma was born in Kansas City, MO, on September 11, 1938, to Ferd and Pearl Bailey. She had one brother, Ferd (Butch) Bailey; all preceded her in death.

Roma and Michael, her husband of 63 years, raised four sons: Craig, Eric, Andy, and Thomas, who all currently reside in the Kansas City area. Michael passed away in January 2021.

Roma was a lifetime Kansas City resident and enjoyed being close to family and friends. She lived a rich and full life and was a devoted wife and mother.

After graduating from Southeast High School in 1956, she began college, but then put it on hold after getting married in September of 1958. Roma eventually resumed her pursuit of a college degree after a long hiatus spent raising four rambunctious boys, earning a degree in social work from Avila University. She then went on to work for several years as a social worker in the Kansas City area.

Roma’s caring and generous nature was always on display as she and Michael took in a steady stream of young, unwed mothers needing a home. Later, her home would become a waystation for a diverse group of characters, as anyone needing a helping hand and a place to stay was welcome. There were many, many days when she was preparing meals for a small army.

Additionally, as her sons got older, her home was the “go to” spot for all their friends, and she was a gracious hostess and surrogate mom to many.

Later in life, Roma developed a love of golf, and it became her passion. She spent numerous hours on the golf course with friends. For thirty years, she and Michael lived on Number 2 Fairway at Blue Hills Country Club. They later bought a winter home in Palm Desert, CA, so they could stay on the links.

Roma was famous for her culinary excellence and hosted countless dinners for friends and family. She even wrote her own cookbook featuring dishes that were family favorites, along with her own renditions of other delicious recipes. She loved to entertain and would go all out to provide guests with a memorable experience.

Additionally, Roma was quite a fashion plate and was always dressed to the nines. She loved music and reading and was a big K.C. Chiefs fan. She was particularly fond of the Archy McNally series by Lawrence Sanders. As for music… it was Elvis Presley since her teens. She was thrilled to have seen Elvis in person on several occasions.

Roma was a life-long animal lover and owned a long line of canine companions, beginning with Tommy in her childhood and then on to Bogey and Bunker, the beloved labradoodles who accompanied her everywhere.

Roma’s was a life well-lived and full of wonderful experiences. She is survived by grandchildren Casey, Michael, Hope (Fowler), Erin, Cody, Adam and Cali and foster son, Roland Borders.

We mourn her loss but take solace in that she is no longer suffering.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America:

https://alzfdn.org/support-us/donate/

Or

Wayside Waifs

https://secure.waysidewaifs.org/site/Donation2;jsessionid=00000000.app20111a?df_id=7222&mfc_pref=T&7222.donation=form1&NONCE_TOKEN=BA1B227777F57B7B528D1647EC352FBA

Services will be held Saturday, February 18, 12:15 P.M. at Newcomers Floral Hills Funeral Home:

7000 Blue Ridge Blvd

Kansas City, MO 64133

The service will be followed by a celebration of life at Jasper’s Italian Restaurant, 1201 W 103rd St. Kansas City, MO 64114.