Betty Ann Baker McDermott

Betty Ann Baker McDermott, 95, died peacefully in her home at Bickford Mission Springs on Friday, June 12, 2015. She was born on Sept. 17, 1919, in Kansas City, MO. She attended Central High School, Kansas City Junior College, and graduated in 1941 with a BA from the University of Nebraska, where she was a beauty queen and proud member of Pi Beta Phi sorority (which recently sent her a 75-year membership pin).

Returning to Kansas City after graduating, she worked for the Bruce B. Brewer advertising agency before marrying John S. McDermott and then raising her three children. They were married for 57 years before his death in 2000.

Betty was the very model of a volunteer: passionate, committed and enthusiastic. She was an active parent in the Southwest H.S. PTA, Troop 50 Mothers Club, Junior Dance Group, and faithful supporter of her family’s various activities. After her children were grown, she became more involved in the American Association of University Women, the Women’s Council at UMKC and Wives of Rotarians. She nurtured her creative streak through a longtime association with the Kansas City Keramic Club, whose members met to learn techniques for painting, watercolor and numerous crafts. She loved attending choral, symphony and opera performances.

She was an avid Royals fan, and she and John made many memorable trips with the Royal Lancers.

But perhaps her favorite activity outside of her family was her 50-year tenure as a kindergarten Sunday School teacher at Second Presbyterian Church. Adults now in middle age can remember when they were in Miss Betty’s class, with her acting out Bible stories and corralling a classroom of rambunctious kids.

Betty is survived by her daughter, Susan Dawson (Forrest) of Lone Tree, CO.; her sons Rick (Mindy) and Alan of Kansas City; and three grandchildren, Kat Wood Norris (Jason), Matt Wood (Bee) and Stephanie Mertel (Brad).

A celebration of Betty’s life will be held at Second Presbyterian, 55th and Oak St. in Kansas City, on Friday, June 19, at 3 p.m., followed by a church reception. The family requests no flowers and suggests memorial contributions to the Kansas City branch of AAUW (P.O. Box 8831, Kansas City, MO. 64114); The Graduate Assistance Fund of the UMKC Women’s Council (5115 Oak St., AC-300B, Kansas City, MO 64112); Second Presbyterian Church; or a charity of your choice.

Betty’s family wishes to thank the many caregivers at Mission Springs who over the last seven years lovingly attended their often feisty mother.