Mary Lou Farrell

Mary Louise Farrell passed away peacefully on July 25, 2023 at Homestead Assisted Living in Olathe. Mary Lou was born on October 6, 1926 in Kansas City, Missouri, to Clinton and Lucy Meunier. She grew up in St. Elizabeth’s parish, where she attended grade school. After graduating from Southwest High School, she began college at St. Mary’s in South Bend, Indiana. She became smitten with a handsome Notre Dame student from New Jersey, named Russ Farrell. They were married April 23, 1949 and began their life together. Mary Lou and Russ were members of St. Agnes parish during the years they raised their six children. They loved golf and joined Indian Hills Country Club, where her father was a founding member.

They also made many trips to Garden of the Gods Country Club to play Kissing Camels golf course with close friends. In their neighborhood, they enjoyed circle picnics and parties with the families on the cul-de-sac as their children grew up. Soon after Russ died, in 1995, Mary Lou moved to Robstown, TX, near Corpus Christi, to be a receptionist for the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity (S.O.L.T.). She loved her years serving in this ministry, which was founded by Fr. Jim Flanagan, Russ’s college friend and roommate. In October of 2021, Mary Lou moved back to Kansas to be with her family. She enjoyed meeting some special, wonderful friends at Homestead, where she also led the Rosary every Friday morning.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Clinton and Lucy Meunier, her brothers Bob Meunier and Gene Meunier, and an infant granddaughter, Maryann Biery. She is survived by her children, Sheila Umscheid (Tom), Greg and Pam Farrell, Chris Farrell, Maureen Biery (Rick), Russ and Anne Farrell and Patrick Farrell. She also leaved 18 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. Some of her best memories included family gatherings watching “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World”, their favorite movie of all time.

She loved special visits from friends, family and fun grandchildren while in Texas. She enjoyed her hair appointments and lunches with Pam every other week and always told her, “What ever you do, don’t ever get old!” Many thanks to her S.O.L.T. family in Texas, and especially Rosemary Houghton for her love and care. We are very grateful to the wonderful staff at Homestead who were so accommodating and helpful and the caregivers at Faith Hospice. The family will have a private Mass and internment at Mt. Olivet Cemetery.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.chapelhill-butler.com for the Farrell family.