Jean Elene Haley

Jean Elene (Wuellner) Haley, 77, of Kansas City, MO passed away peacefully on Monday, July 6, 2020. Inurnment service will be Thursday, July 30, 2020 at 10:00 AM at Mount Olivet Cemetery, 7601 Blue Ridge Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64138.

Jean was born February 7, 1943, in Kansas City, Missouri, to parents Helena (Cahalan) and Eugene Wuellner, both of whom preceded her in death. Also preceding her in death was her long-time companion, Chris Duarte.

She is survived by her brother, Paul Wuellner, and her beloved 13 year-old Doberman, Rhapsody’s Silent Night, UD (aka Lovey.)

Jean attended Shiloh Elementary School and graduated from Carthage Senior High, Carthage, MO. She was a member of the 1964 graduating class of Mount St. Scholastica College. After graduation, Jean taught English at Bishop LeBlond High School, and also worked at KCMO Public Library. She received an Honorary Doctorate of Humanity Letters from Benedictine College in 1987.

Jean started her career as a reporter in 1966 with the Kansas City Star, eventually becoming its first female editorial columnist. During her time at the Star, she initiated a bi-weekly column for older persons. In 1982 the columns were collected and published as a book, The Later Years. After a long and rewarding 32 year career, Jean retired from the Kansas City Star in 1998.

An annual Dog Writers Award given by the Dog Writers Association was amongst the many accolades Jean was given for her writing skills. It was presented to her at a Westminister Dog Show Banquet.

Trying to convert her two young unruly Dobermans, Romeo and Juliet, into well-behaved companions, she enrolled in a dog obedience class in 1987. Enrollment in that class started her on a journey from pet owner to trainer, teacher, and competitor for obedience titles.

Competiting almost always with Dobermans, the love of her life, Jean earned numerous American Kennel Club Obedience Titles. She also earned a number of High in Trials and had the honor of competing in the Doberman Club of America Annual Top Twenty Performance Event several times.

Serving as Training Director for the Greater Kansas City Dog Training Club, Jean was bestowed with a lifetime membership to the Club.

She is a member of St. Patrick’s Church.

Awaiting Jean at the Rainbow Bridge will be her cherished canine companions Jack, Juliet, Romeo, Scotty, Happy, Chevy, and Mary.

Jean will be deeply missed by her many friends and dog students - both canine and human.

Donations in Jean’s memory may be made to Greater Kansas City Dog Training Club, P.O. Box 16616, Raytown, MO 64133.