Mary Woody

Mary M. Woody (Brown) passed away on February 2, 2019 after a brief illness.  She was born on July 20, 1940 to Robert C. and Dorothy P. (Wallace) Brown.  She was the eldest of two girls. Her sister, Shelia, resides in California.  Mary was born in Excelsior Springs, Missouri, but grew up in the northeast area of Kansas City and she was always proud to say “I’m from Northeast”.  It is there where she met her husband Jerry D. Woody (deceased) of 55 years through mutual friends.  They were married on October 11, 1957.  Mary and Jerry lived in the northeast area after they married and had three children, William D. Woody (Lorene, deceased), Susan Edwards (Mike) and Shana Bledsoe-Grandgenett (Mike).  In 1969, they decided to move the family to Independence and bought their dream house in 1971 where they remained until 2013.

Mary and Jerry were blessed with 7 grandchildren:  Christopher J. Woody (deceased), Nicholas S. Woody, Andrew M. Edwards, Griffin D. Bledsoe, Ella Grace Grandgenett, Jennifer N. Bailey (Sean), and Tara M. Richardson.  Mary took every opportunity to spend time with her grandkids, often watching them during summer and holiday breaks, playing games or watching Game Show Network, making them their favorite mac & cheese, drinking glasses of chocolate milk with them and attending their sports and school activities.

While Jerry provided for the family, Mary raised the kids and managed the house.  After the kids were gone, she decided she needed something to do and started watching neighborhood kids before and after school.  Wanting to be more involved and get out of the house, she volunteered in the office at Elm Grove Elementary School where her grandson Griffin attended school and was soon asked to fill a paid position in the cafeteria assisting the kids.  She became known as Griffin’s Grandma.   Over the years, Mary watched many children in her home, including grand nieces, and would often attend the activities of those children, including, Angela, Lindsey, McKenna, D.J., Meaghan, Hannah, Jesse, Gabe, Casey and Kiley.  Mary considered herself their grandma too.

Mary enjoyed nothing more than gathering with her family.  During the summers, they would spend Saturdays or the holiday in their backyard pool, grilling and playing rummy on the back porch drinking wine coolers and amaretto sours.  Mary also loved shopping with her girls, reading, putting together or solving puzzles, watching old movies, playing solitaire and listening and dancing to her favorite, Elvis.  If you knew Mary, you knew she loved Elvis.

Mary was shy as a child and young adult but as she got older, she learned how to find a special connection with people, especially kids and young adults.  She often took the time to just say hello and ask how they were doing or give a compliment, making them feel noticed.

Her quiet, gentle presence will be missed.  May she be at peace and all her burdens lifted.  Sweet dreams, Mother.

Please join us to celebrate the life of Mary and to share memories and fellowship at the residence of Susan and Mike Edwards at 3:15 pm.  Please call (816) 809-9025 for directions.