Joyce Ludwig Rossi

Joyce Ludwig Rossi, 81, of Overland Park, KS passed away on June 30, 2015. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m. at Church of the Nativity, 3800 W. 119th St., Leawood, KS, with visitation also at Nativity at 9:00 a.m. prior to the Mass.

A subsequent Memorial Mass will be held in Naperville, IL at St. Margaret Mary Parish at a date and time to be determined. Burial will follow thereafter at Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery in Naperville.

Joyce was born August 30, 1933 in Joliet, IL to Kathleen Kelleher Ludwig and Lawrence J. Ludwig. She was the fifth of seven children, and spent her childhood and most of her adult life in the Chicago area.

Her proudest accomplishments were her 53 year marriage to Richard Rossi and her three daughters: Mary (Tim) Ritter, Sarah (Ray) Evans, and Ann (Mike) Cummins. She centered her being around faith, family and friends, and lived every day pursuing one or all of these passions.

She was a 1951 graduate of Lockport Township High School. An avid reader, she took numerous night classes throughout her life (eventually reporting that she took a class on “How To Stop Taking Night Classes”). She possessed a quick wit and curious mind, both of which were intact until the end.

During her life, she resided in Elmhurst, IL, Tulsa, OK, Naperville, IL, Lawrence, KS, and retired to Leawood, KS. She made many dear friends in each locale and wishes to recognize the joy and color they brought to her life.

Joyce is survived by her husband, daughters, sons-in-law, and eight beloved grandchildren: Katie, Daniel and David Ritter of Coppell, TX; Darby, Jack and Mary Evans of Leawood, KS; and Evan and Maggie Cummins of Downers Grove, IL. She is also survived by sisters Betty (John) Greene, Kathleen Haslett, and Cheryl Kluza, as well as many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents and brothers William, Robert and Edward Ludwig.

Her family will remember her kind heart, twinkling green eyes, ready laugh, wide smile, love of horrible puns, and aversion to cooking. She will be missed every day. Godspeed, Joyce.

Donations can be made to Sisters, Servants of Mary, 800 N. 18th St, Kansas City, KS 66102 or Kansas City Hospice House, 12000 Wornall Rd, Kansas City, MO 64145.