Claudine Stanley

She was born on November 21, 1940 in Joplin, MO to her parents, Jess and Thelma Lea.

She graduated from Raytown High School in the spring of 1958 and married her sweetheart, Dan, that winter on December 5, 1958. In their early years together, Claudine was passionate about getting a college education and graduated, at the top of her class, from Central Missouri State University where she studied French and studied in France to further her education.

In 63 years of marriage, they raised their two children Kevin and Sarah and built their legacy together. With her firm and loving heart and steadfast demeanor, she was well suited to be a football coach’s wife. She spent many Friday and Saturday nights under the lights, sitting in the bleachers, cheering Dan and the boys on. She served up chili to the coaches after late-night games and made sure the uniforms were all washed and ready for game day. Dan considered her to be his best coach as she would send him notes during the halftime that said, “quit throwing the ball and run the ball.”

Claudine will be remembered for wearing many hats. She was an educator, a loan officer, a dog catcher’s assistant, “the prettiest girl at Raytown High”, a loving wife and mother, grandmother who supplied an ample amount of cookies and waffles, sister and aunt to many. She was our rock. Some of us will remember her at the games, remember late nights playing bridge and Scrabble, remember her dancing and clapping around the campfire at family reunions, or remember her giving sage advice and lending her ear to those who needed it. Most of all, she will be remembered in all our hearts, with great love, for her.

Claudine was preceded in death by her father, Jess C. Lea; her mother, Thelma A. Lea; and her brothers: Jim Lea, Jesse Lea and Dewey Lea.

She leaves behind her husband of 63 years, Daniel J. Stanley; her son, Kevin Stanley and his wife Stacey and their two children Daniel and Nathan of Kansas City, Missouri; her daughter, Sarah Cockrell and her two daughters Eliza and Corinne of Pleasant Valley, Missouri. Also surviving are her sister, Susann Brown and her husband Dr. Jerry Brown, their children and grandchildren. Finally, she leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews and their families that she held dear in her heart.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 11 am on Saturday, July 16 at St. Peter's Parish, 815 E Meyer Blvd, Kansas City, MO with a luncheon to follow.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation, https://act.alz.org/site/Donation2 or to Village Shalom, 5500 W 123rd St, Overland Park, KS 66209.