Ann King Dickinson

Ann King Dickinson, age 79, passed away peacefully at her home at Bishop Spencer Place in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 20, 2024, leaving behind a legacy of love, much laughter and unforgettable memories.

Ann was born in Richland, Washington on December 15, 1944, and was the only child of Donald Albert King and Alice Gracille King. She spent her childhood primarily in Hannibal, MO, graduating salutatorian from Hannibal High School in 1962. After high school, Ann attended the University of Missouri in Columbia where she ultimately met her husband and later graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and Education in 1966, along with three of her dearest childhood friends Julie (Drescher) Sharpe, Judy (Heiser) Pratt and Marilyn (Craigmiles) Thomas.

After her marriage to Gary Dickinson in 1966, the couple lived in Chillicothe, Missouri and ultimately raised their 4 children there. Ann worked for a short time as an elementary teacher in the Chillicothe School District and later served as President of the Chillicothe School Board for several years. She had a passion for education and was a long-time advocate of public and private elementary and secondary education. After the tragic death of her husband in a car crash in 1997, Ann demonstrated determination and perseverance as she bravely took over as chairwoman of the banking business Gary had founded and built over a period of many years. Due to her immediate efforts and focus on the employees, that business remains community-minded and family-owned and continues to thrive today. She continued to live in both Chillicothe and Kansas City for a number of years but moved to Kansas City full time in the early 2000s. She will be remembered for her energetic and outgoing personality and her community involvement.

Ann lived by the motto that “To whom much is given, much is expected.” In addition to her full-time role as the chairman of a multi-bank holding company, Ann was a very active philanthropist. She gave countless hours and donations to various organizations, and helped provide vital funding to many different civic and community projects over the years, including the construction of the Kansas City Performing Arts Center and the Sprint (now T Mobile) Center, among others. Ann was one of the first to support the efforts to revitalize Kansas City’s downtown in the early 2000s. She also founded the Ann & Gary Dickinson Family Charitable Foundation after the death of her husband which has over the years provided support to numerous arts, education and other community organizations located primarily in Kansas City’s urban core – these organizations include the Kauffman Performing Arts Center, the KC Repertory Theater, the Downtown Library, Kansas City Ballet, Lyric Opera, several YMCAs, City Union Mission, Crossroads Academy, Academie Lafayette, and St. Paul’s Episcopal Day School. She loved to help others and demonstrated ongoing generosity to her many hometowns over the years.

As an only child, Ann was determined to be surrounded by family, business associates and countless friends in all aspects of her life 24-7! Ann will be remembered for so many things, but her generosity, love of sports, (Republican) politics, movies, travel and entertaining clearly stand out. She was a lifelong sports enthusiast and was an avid and competitive tennis player and golfer until her illness took over and prevented her from enjoying these activities. As a huge sports fan, she loved watching her professional teams (Kansas City Royals and Chiefs) and college (Mizzou Tigers) as well as her children’s high school and grandchildren’s recreational athletic endeavors, but she had a special passion for basketball. Many from Chillicothe will recall her boisterous cheering at Hornet basketball games over the years. Her love of the Missouri Tigers and corresponding scorn for those Jayhawks has also been appropriately passed down her bloodline.

Ann had a unique gift for bringing people together and was known for her legendary gatherings over the years. She loved hosting parties and her home was often a hub of activity, where friends and family gathered for lively celebrations containing too much food but always great laughter. Her greatest joy was her family. Her older grandchildren fondly remember many amazing birthday soirees, with elaborate themes and gifts, while girlfriends will recall her renowned “ladies’ parties” held during the Christmas holiday. Her fabulous events were often the highlight of the year, and family vacations would often involve cramming 40 extended family and friends into a house for 12, with a waiting list!

Ann is predeceased by her late husband Gary Dickinson. She is survived by her four children, their spouses and 14 grandchildren, including: (i) Amy Dickinson Holewinski and son-in-law Paul Holewinski and grandchildren Mark, Katherine, John and Benjamin Holewinski; (ii) Daniel Lewis Dickinson, daughter-in-law Lina (Welliver) Dickinson and grandchildren Maxwell, Thomas, Daniel and Annabelle Dickinson; (iii) Jane Dickinson Kress and son-in-law Michael Kress and grandchildren Carson, Merrill, and Kuehnle Kress; and (iv) Burton King Dickinson and daughter-in-law Robyn (Honea) Dickinson and grandchildren Henry, Miles, and Caroline Dickinson. She is also survived by wonderful close friends including Nan Chapman, Marilyn Thomas, Julie Sharpe, Jonne and Jerry Parrish, and Kirk Carpenter. The family is thankful for Ann’s many caregivers and especially for her long-time loyal assistant, friend and caregiver Ellen Anderson. While the final years of her life were marred by suffering from Lewy Body Dementia, her family, close friends and caregivers marveled at her courage, strength and competitive spirit. Ann will be greatly missed but all can rest in the knowledge that she has rejoined those loved ones who preceded her in death and she is finally experiencing great joy at home in the presence of God.

The funeral will take place at Visitation Church at 5141 Main Street in Kansas City, MO on Saturday, August 24 at 9:00 A.M. A reception will follow where stories will be shared and Ann’s spirit will be remembered with the same joy she brought to those she loved. The burial service will take place at Mount Moriah Cemetery in Kansas City, MO that same afternoon where Ann will be laid to rest next to her late husband.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to a charity of your choice in her honor. Two areas of passion for Ann included Education (St. Paul’s Episcopal Day School, Rockhurst High School and the Chillicothe Educational Foundation) and the Arts (the Kansas City Symphony, the Kansas City Rep, and the Kauffman Performing Arts Center).