Marian Atwood

Marian Olander Atwood, 91, of Kansas City, Missouri, died peacefully on Monday, May 8, 2017 at Bishop Spencer Place.  Marian was born August 17, 1925 in Kansas City, Kansas to Mildred Cooke Olander and Frederick Herbert Olander.  She graduated from Sunset Hill School in 1943 and went on to Smith College, graduating in 1947 as senior class president.  Two years later she married Bill Atwood, an Amherst College graduate and veteran of World War II. Settling in Kansas City, Missouri, Marian filled her time volunteering as a member of the Junior League, in various capacities for St. Luke’s Hospital, and at All Saints Episcopal Church and later, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. In 1962 Marian was hired to work as a Study Skills teacher at Sunset Hill School.  It wasn’t long before her administrative and interpersonal skills were recognized, and she soon became assistant head of school, ultimately working with three headmistresses and one headmaster during her tenure there. The class of 1968, who dedicated their yearbook to Marian, affectionately gave her the name “Eagle Eye” “because of her awareness and interest in each student.  As one former student wrote to her on her 90th birthday, “‘How would MOA handle this?’ was a question that I have asked myself many times over the years. The simple answer was always the same…handle this situation with integrity, fairness, warmth and don’t forget to throw in a little sense of humor.” She truly loved her years at Sunset Hill, both as a student and as an administrator.

Marian dedicated her life to her husband Bill who passed away last July after 67 years of marriage, her two daughters, her five grandchildren, and two great grandchildren to whom she gave so much encouragement and unconditional “great abiding love.” She valued so deeply her many dear friends, filling her calendar with tennis games, bridge games, golf, and frequent social gatherings.

Marian is survived by two daughters, Mary Atwood Miner and Susan Atwood Eschenroeder (Thomas); five grandchildren, Jennifer Ferguson (Craig), Christopher Miner, Rebecca Eschenroeder, Caitlin Eschenroeder, and Alex Eschenroeder; and two great grandchildren, Abigayle Ferguson and Hannah Ferguson.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 8th at 11:00a.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 4041 Main Street, KC, MO, 64111. A private burial will be held after the service.  A reception for family and friends will take place following the service at the Kansas City Country Club, 6200 Indian Lane, Mission Hills, KS  66208.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Pembroke Hill School, 400 W. 51st Street, Kansas City, MO 64113.  An endowed scholarship has been established in the name of Marian Olander Atwood.  Please make checks payable to Pembroke Hill School.

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