Bernice "Bena" Gillespie

Bernice (Bena Marrone) Gillespie, 89, passed away on Sunday, September 7, 2014. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, September 17 at Christ the King Catholic Church, 8510 Wornall Road, Kansas City, MO with entombment following in Resurrection Cemetery. Visitation will be 9 to 10 a.m. Wednesday prior to Mass, where the Rosary will be prayed at 9 a.m.

Bena was born November 6, 1924 to Saccorso and Josephine Marrone. She worked at Percy Kent Bag Co. for 20 years. In 1952 she married Kenneth Gillespie, they had no children of their own, however they loved their niece, Mary Jo Marrone, and treated her as their biological daughter. Bena also worked in the garment industry at Mendels’ and Gay Gibsons as an inspector. She also worked at a research laboratory, Haver-Lockhart. Bena loved to cook and bake and had cooked at one time for as many as 300 people.

Bena is preceded in death by her husband, Ken of 62 years. Survivors include her nieces, Mary Jo (Angelo) Casa, two surrogate grandsons, Dominic (Susanne) Casa, and Anthony (Lauren) Casa; and great-grandsons, Joseph Casa and Austin Blair; and many nieces and nephews.

Condolences may be left online at www.mcgilleystatelinechapel.com. Arrangements: McGilley State Line Chapel, 12301 State Line Road, Kansas City, MO 64145.