Anne McGee

Anne was the third of four children; her siblings Bob Cunningham, Jack Cunningham and Sue Blair predeceased her. She attended Bryant and Notre Dame de Sion grade schools, Southwest High School, and received an Associate degree from Marymount College in Los Angeles. After college, Anne returned to Kansas City and worked at Harzfeld’s department store, specializing in millenary.

On April 30, 1949, Anne married Joseph (Joe) John McGee, Jr., and with her beloved “beau” raised seven children: Sally, Peter, Mary, John, David, Julie, and Simon. Even while managing her large family, she found time and joy to serve as a room parent at her children’s schools, a Cub Scout troop leader, a docent at the Nelson-Atkins Museum, in the Junior League, and volunteering in her church and community. A valued member of Visitation Catholic Church, she was a eucharistic minister and lector, and served on a number of church committees. Anne cultivated a special devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe, and December 12 was a special day for her. In 1973, she was inducted into the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem.

Curious and open to new experiences, Anne enjoyed participation in three book clubs; playing bridge with friends; the lively company of her brunch & theatre group; and keeping up on the diverse lives of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She was fascinated with watching the antics of the birds, squirrels and chipmunks who frequented her well-tended garden, which she filled with white blooms set off by trailing vines of ivy. With great attention to detail, Anne delighted her friends with her impressive and gracious hospitality and often whimsical décor and gifts. Generous with her time and talent, enthusiastic and energetic with her ideas and support, she powered on through breast cancer, skin cancer, and debilitating osteoporosis with prayers and her wonderful smile.

Anne was a model of joy, patience, generosity, and forgiveness. An excellent listener, she understood, and she wanted others to understand, that the ability to listen - not just hear - is a crucial interpersonal skill. As strong advocates of programs that teach listening skills, Anne and Joe established an endowed chair at Rockhurst University for the specific purpose of applied research and instruction in the development of person-to-person communication, with an emphasis on listening.

Anne is survived by her seven children, ten grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren, as well as numerous extended family members and many friends and acquaintances whose lives she touched in her own unique way. She was predeceased by her husband Joe and one grandchild.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Friday, March 31, 2023, at Visitation Catholic Church, 5141 Main Street, Kansas City, Missouri (816-753-7422). Friends may call at the Church any time after 9:00 a.m.; a Rosary will be said at 9:40 a.m. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery following the Mass. Please do not send flowers to the church. Memorials may be given to Redemptorist Social Services and Rockhurst University.