Mary Ellen Lobb

Mary Ellen Lobb peacefully left this world on July 30. 2017, to join the love of her life surrounded by her family, three days before her 88th birthday. A woman beyond labels, she was a daughter, sister, wife, mother, Granny, great Granny, friend, political and community activist, fervent bridge player, daily crossword puzzler and lifelong Republican. Her life was defined by her devout Catholic faith, strong personal will, innate strength and resilience, love of politics, and unbounded, unconditional love. She was a larger than life, unforgettable character.

Mary Ellen Topp was born August 1, 1929 in Madison, WI to Louis H. Topp and Ella Boorman Topp. She received her baccalaureate in Business from the University of Wisconsin in 1951, one of only two women graduates in the School of Business. She was a member of Delta Zeta Sorority and met her future husband Howard Joseph Lobb, Jr. while attending the UW. They married in 1951 and moved to Kansas City, MO where they raised eight children in the Coleman Highlands neighborhood and were members of Redemptorist parish. She fought to keep the Coleman Highlands neighborhood zoned single family residential and the neighborhood remains that way today because of her efforts. She served several tenures as Jackson County Republican Chair Woman and ran for U.S. Congress in 1988. After 33 years in the neighborhood, Howard was transferred to Miami, FL where they enjoyed a happy active life before retiring to Vero Beach, FL. Mary Ellen remained active in her community, serving on the Board of the Village Spires Condominium Association and as a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church.

After Howard’s passing in 2004, Mary Ellen remained in Vero Beach where she loved the warm seaside life before her eventual return to Kansas City. She enjoyed being back in Kansas City becoming reacquainted with her old friends and making many new ones. While she missed the warmth of the beach in Florida, she enjoyed being closer to her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, who lavished her with love and attention. Mary Ellen Lobb lived life on her own terms and loved every second of it.

Mary Ellen was preceded in death by parents, her husband, Howard Joseph Lobb, Jr., and her sister Betty Kaltenberg. She is survived by her eight children and their spouses, Dr. Jesse Lobb of Kirksville, MO, Joe (Trish) Lobb of Kansas City, MO, Mary Margaret (Webb) Draughon of Seabrook, TX, Teresa (Mark) Walker of Canton, TX, Chris (Teresa) Lobb of Lenexa, KS, Cynthia (Tim) Paul of Apopka, FL, Luke (Julie) Lobb of Leawood, KS, and Amy Lobb (Carlton Lyles) of Kansas City, MO; 18 grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren with two more on the way; her sister Jeanne Koch of Madison WI. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren include Patrick (Julie) Lobb and their three children Ally, Jack, and Ben; Kellie (Bert) Seefeldt, children Ian and Leah, Bridget (Matt) Lanigan, their children Mia and Alexander; Shannon Lobb (fiance’ Eric Anderson), Danny Lobb (fianceé Erin Fitzgerald), Annie Lobb, Kate (Dusty) Carroll; Lisa Walker (fiancé Tanner Willimovsky), Tara Lobb, Adam Lobb, Ryan Lobb, Brandon Lobb, Ben Lobb, Myles Gaskins, Justin Paul, Addison Paul, Mary Kate Lobb, and Lucy Lobb.

The family would like to express their deep gratitude to Dr. Cosmo Caruso, Dr. Stany D’Silva, Dr. Christopher Geha and the staff at St. Joseph’s Hospital ICU and CCU and Brookdale Wornall.

The world has lost one of the most intelligent, loving, memorable and vivacious women they will ever know. She touched the hearts of everyone who met her.

We love you, Mom. We love you, Granny.

A Rosary will be prayed at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, August 2nd at McGilley State Line Chapel followed by a visitation until 8 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be 1 p.m. Thursday, August 3rd at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church (Redemptorist), 3333 Broadway St, Kansas City, MO with interment following at Mt. Olivet Cemetery.