1921
Mary
2008
Mary Liston
October 28, 1921 — June 24, 2008
Mary Kathryn Liston (nee McArthur), 86 years young, our beloved Mother, grandmother and great- grandmother (Gigi), passed away on June 24, 2008, in Paradise Valley, Ariz., surrounded by loving family.
Mary was born Oct. 28, 1921, in Kansas City, Kan., to Cecil and Maysie McArthur, where she was raised. She graduated from Wyandotte High School and Kansas City Junior College. She met the love of her life, Jerry C. Liston in Kansas City and they were married in Phoenix, Ariz., Feb. 6, 1942. Stationed throughout the US during World War II as Jerry was a US Army pilot, they returned to the Fairway and Overland Park, Kan., area to raise their children. They shared many adventures in travel throughout the world, entertaining family and friends for years with their stories. Mary Kathryn was a loving homemaker, whose family and friends filled her life, as she filled theirs with joy. Those who knew her, felt blessed by her warmth and smile. She volunteered for many years working with physically/mentally challenged children at Village Presbyterian Church, as well as in her daughter's and grandchildren's classrooms. Her children and grandchildren's friends felt welcome in her home and were considered by Mother to be part of our family as well. Mary was a Camp Fire and Girl Scout leader when her children were in elementary school. She was involved and held lifetime memberships in Jobs Daughter's, Order of the Eastern Star and the American Legion Auxiliary. She was a long time member of Village Presbyterian Church in Prairie Village, Kan., and Valley Presbyterian Church, Paradise Valley, Ariz. An avid sports fan, she was a staunch supporter who loved USC football and the Phoenix Suns for many years, cheering them on. She attended countless games on behalf of her children and grandchildren's sports activities and supported their college teams as well.
Preceding her in death were her beloved husband, Jerry C. Liston; her parents; and sister, Mrs. E.B. (Jeannie) Morrison. Mary Kathryn Liston will be celebrated and remembered with love by her surviving family: daughters and sons-in law, Linda and Bryant Darnaby of Overland Park, Kan., Sally and Larry Dieter of Phoenix; grandchildren, Patrick (Kimberly) Darnaby of Overland Park, Michael Dieter of Phoenix, Jerry (Bobbi) Darnaby of Olathe, Kan., Amy Kathryn (Christopher) Decker of Ashburn, Va. Gigi is also survived by seven adoring great-grandchildren, Sydney and Lauren of Overland Park, Nicholas, Mary Kathryn and Brenna of Ashburn and Gavin and Regan of Olathe. She cherished each child for their individuality. She is also survived by her brothers?in-law, Dr. E.B. Morrison of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and H. Nolan McGregor of Kansas City, Kan.; nieces, nephews and friends who think of her as their family. Thank you Mother for always being there, a true lady -- strong and gentle.
A Celebration of her life will be held will be held Monday, June 30, at 2 p.m. at D.W. Newcomer's Sons Johnson County Chapel, 11200 Metcalf, Overland Park. A gathering for family and friends will begin an hour prior to service time. Burial in Johnson County Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory are suggested to a Navajo children's scholarship fund at St. Mary Mission, c/o Father John Mittelstadt, PO Box 39, Tohatchi, NM 87325 or Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 85014.
Mary was born Oct. 28, 1921, in Kansas City, Kan., to Cecil and Maysie McArthur, where she was raised. She graduated from Wyandotte High School and Kansas City Junior College. She met the love of her life, Jerry C. Liston in Kansas City and they were married in Phoenix, Ariz., Feb. 6, 1942. Stationed throughout the US during World War II as Jerry was a US Army pilot, they returned to the Fairway and Overland Park, Kan., area to raise their children. They shared many adventures in travel throughout the world, entertaining family and friends for years with their stories. Mary Kathryn was a loving homemaker, whose family and friends filled her life, as she filled theirs with joy. Those who knew her, felt blessed by her warmth and smile. She volunteered for many years working with physically/mentally challenged children at Village Presbyterian Church, as well as in her daughter's and grandchildren's classrooms. Her children and grandchildren's friends felt welcome in her home and were considered by Mother to be part of our family as well. Mary was a Camp Fire and Girl Scout leader when her children were in elementary school. She was involved and held lifetime memberships in Jobs Daughter's, Order of the Eastern Star and the American Legion Auxiliary. She was a long time member of Village Presbyterian Church in Prairie Village, Kan., and Valley Presbyterian Church, Paradise Valley, Ariz. An avid sports fan, she was a staunch supporter who loved USC football and the Phoenix Suns for many years, cheering them on. She attended countless games on behalf of her children and grandchildren's sports activities and supported their college teams as well.
Preceding her in death were her beloved husband, Jerry C. Liston; her parents; and sister, Mrs. E.B. (Jeannie) Morrison. Mary Kathryn Liston will be celebrated and remembered with love by her surviving family: daughters and sons-in law, Linda and Bryant Darnaby of Overland Park, Kan., Sally and Larry Dieter of Phoenix; grandchildren, Patrick (Kimberly) Darnaby of Overland Park, Michael Dieter of Phoenix, Jerry (Bobbi) Darnaby of Olathe, Kan., Amy Kathryn (Christopher) Decker of Ashburn, Va. Gigi is also survived by seven adoring great-grandchildren, Sydney and Lauren of Overland Park, Nicholas, Mary Kathryn and Brenna of Ashburn and Gavin and Regan of Olathe. She cherished each child for their individuality. She is also survived by her brothers?in-law, Dr. E.B. Morrison of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and H. Nolan McGregor of Kansas City, Kan.; nieces, nephews and friends who think of her as their family. Thank you Mother for always being there, a true lady -- strong and gentle.
A Celebration of her life will be held will be held Monday, June 30, at 2 p.m. at D.W. Newcomer's Sons Johnson County Chapel, 11200 Metcalf, Overland Park. A gathering for family and friends will begin an hour prior to service time. Burial in Johnson County Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory are suggested to a Navajo children's scholarship fund at St. Mary Mission, c/o Father John Mittelstadt, PO Box 39, Tohatchi, NM 87325 or Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 85014.
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