Our beautiful mother and grandmother, Jeanne Marie McLain, 92, passed away on March 27, 2024, in Phoenix, Arizona. She was born October 13, 1931, in Atchison, Kansas to Helen (Busenbarrick) and Harold B. Hendershot. Jeanne attended Sunnyside School and St. Mary’s Catholic schools in Denver, Colorado, before moving to Kansas City, Kansas, where she graduated from Ward High School. She continued her education by taking classes at Avila College.
Jeanne started her career working with architects as a young mother of three. First with McLain & Sidorowitz, and then Matel & Teter Architects in Kansas City, Missouri. Jeanne enjoyed her career as an Architectural secretary and became incredibly involved with organizations in that industry. She was a member of WICS and the Local and National Architectural Secretaries Association. Over the years Jeanne would serve as Chair on numerous committees, elected as President of the Kansas City Chapter and Recording Secretary of the National Association. She also was Chairperson of the 1979 National Convention of the Architectural Secretaries Association held in Kansas City, Missouri. Jeanne met her husband, Kenneth, an architect, during this time. They married in 1974, and she found a loving partner with a wonderful sense of fun and humor.
Jeanne found joy in decorating and party planning, making her family’s holidays and gatherings memorable. From the time we were young children, she hosted an annual Christmas Eve party that included neighbors, family, and friends. She did the same in the fall, her favorite season of the year. She would pack picnic lunches and take her children to Wyandotte County Lake to enjoy the beauty of the fall colors. Jeanne continued this tradition by gathering other families to join the fun, and the "family" picnic continued for many years.
Jeanne was an avid collector throughout her life, especially Christmas ornaments. After retiring she joined Cyndy’s Hallmark Collectors Club in Kansas City, Kansas. Not one to stay idle, she also started her own business as a party planner and several years later worked a few days a week at the local Hallmark where she enjoyed seeing old friends and making new ones.
Ten years ago, Jeanne left her beloved Kansas and moved to Phoenix, Arizona, to be close to her daughter and granddaughter. Her husband Kenny had already passed away. For many of those years, she continued to be active by joining another collectors club in Phoenix, attending social activities, and playing weekly games of dominos at her local Ahwatukee community center. Here she made new friends and continued her spirit of celebration.
At the age of nineteen, Jeanne found she had type 1 diabetes, yet she never let this define her. She seldom shared this about herself, but it consumed part of her everyday life. Jeanne was a strong woman with a strong faith and believed that every day was a gift. She will be missed for her kindness, fun-loving spirit, and sweet smile.
Jeanne is preceded in death by her husband Kenneth R. McLain, daughter Kathryn Wagner, three siblings, sisters Kathryn Bond and Linda Miller Penna, and brother Harold D. Hendershot.
Jeanne leaves behind her son Michael Wagner, Leavenworth, Kansas, daughter Deborah Wagner Davis, Phoenix, Arizona, granddaughter Taylor Davis Hart (Thomas), Phoenix, Arizona, and numerous extended family members.
Jeanne’s memorial service will be Friday morning, May 31st at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 1086 N. 94th Street, Kansas City, Kansas 66112. Visitation at 10am and Mass at 10:30am. Burial following Mass, at the Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Kansas City, Kansas.
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