JoAnn Teahan

JoAnn Teahan, 76, died Sept. 10, 2012 peacefully and beautifully at her home in Leawood, KS surrounded by her family after a courageous battle with breast cancer. JoAnn’s strong faith in God and the Virgin Mary sustained and encouraged her throughout her life and especially during her illness. She left for her heavenly reward, prepared and at peace.

She will be remembered as a loving wife and mother, devoted grandmother,great grandmother and wonderful friend. JoAnn was the oldest daughter of the five children of Eugene and Alice Judy. She grew up in Kansas City MO, Newton KS and Atlanta, GA before graduating from Sacred Heart High School in Atlanta. From there she attended the College of St. Teresa (now Avila College) in Kansas City, MO where she met the love of her life Richard Teahan who was attending Rockhurst College. Rich and JoAnn were married on May 4, 1957 in Decatur, GA and moved to Fort Knox, Kentucky as Rich was drafted into the US Army. After stops in Louisville, KY, Atlanta, GA and St. Louis, MO, Rich and JoAnn settled in Kansas City in 1960. Over the last 50 years JoAnn raised her family here, met lifelong friends and the community was greatly impacted by her ceaseless hard work, organization, caring and compassion. She rarely missed a child’s or grandchild’s sporting event, of which there were many, and her home was the gathering point for family Sunday dinners, birthdays, holidays and of course watching sporting events. It was fitting she passed away at home.

JoAnn, along with her husband Rich, supported numerous organizations and charities. JoAnn was intimately involved with St. Teresa’s Academy, Rockhurst High School, Rockhurst University, Avila College, Cure of Ars Parish, The Church of Nativity Parish, Seton Center, Lakemary Center, Ladies of Charities, Catholic Charities including the Snowball Annual Benefit, and Within the Ribbon, serving on many boards and committees. JoAnn was honored in 2006 with the Woman of the Year award by The Church of Nativity for her many charitable works.

She is survived by her husband Richard J. Teahan and her children: Kathy Teahan Jantsch and husband Tom Jantsch, Vince Teahan and his wife Sally, Mark Teahan and his wife Donna, Mike Teahan and his wife Kathy, Dan Teahan and his wife Lynn; nineteen grandchildren, Jennifer Jantsch Johnson (Brady), Michelle Jantsch, Bryan Jantsch, Kevin Jantsch, Rachel Teahan, Jessica Teahan, Sean Teahan, Erin Teahan, Natalie Teahan Gates (Joe), Kyle Teahan, Conner Teahan, Christopher Teahan, Marcus Teahan, Jackie Teahan, Megan Teahan, Shannon Teahan, Kristin Teahan, Brendan Teahan, and Matthew Teahan; five great grandchildren, Lucas Gates, Layla Gates, Jude Gates, Logan Gates and Taylor Teahan, her mother Alice Judy, a sister, Mary Kay Drees , brothers Larry Judy, Dr. Bernard Judy and Steve Judy , and many loved brother and sister-in-laws, aunts, nephews, nieces and cousins. She was preceded in death by her father Eugene Judy and youngest daughter Eileen Teahan. A Rosary will be prayed starting at 5 pm on Thursday night Sept 13th at The Church of the Nativity 3800 W. 119th St Leawood, KS followed by a wake until 8pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, Sept. 14th, at 11 a.m. also at The Church of the Nativity followed by the burial services at Resurrection Cemetery at 83rd and Quivira in Lenexa KS. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to any of the numerous charities and organizations JoAnn so generously supported with her time and talents. The family would like to express their sincerest appreciation to Catholic Communities Hospice, Interim Health Care and Sisters Servants of Mary for their support, compassion, and devotion in JoAnn’s final days. Assistance by Funeral Advocates, LLC.