Kathleen "Kay" Anne Lappin

Kathleen “Kay” Anne Nolan Lappin passed away on January 19, 2024 at Hospice House in North Kansas City, Missouri. Kay or Pooh as she was affectionately called by her family was born in Chicago, Illinois on December 29, 1930 to Louis Andrew (Andy) Nolan and Helen Irene Whalen Nolan. The next year her “Irish Twin” Thomas Andrew Nolan was born. Pooh’s sisters Loretta Margaret Nolan Howey Ley and Mary Caroline Nolan followed.

Pooh received her elementary education degree from St. Xavier in Chicago and then moved to Oklahoma City where she taught at Christ the King School. While on an outing to the bowling alley she was spotted by a young Air Force Officer from Tinker AFB named Daniel (Papa) Jude Lappin who wrote home to his mother that night and said, “I’ve seen the girl I’m going to marry but I don’t know her name yet.” They were soon married on June 9, 1956 in Chicago and enjoyed 56 years of marriage before Papa passed away December 14, 2012. They had 7 children: Mary Anne (Bruce Hamilton) Lappin, Nancy Jean (Joe) Janasz, John Andrew (Jennifer), Brian Joseph (Marilyn), Michael Francis (Brenda), and the twins Barbara Kathleen and Sharon Annette.

Pooh was an avid bridge player, knitter, crocheter, artist, and teacher. She lead girl scout troops and helped with swim teams when her children were younger. Pooh enjoyed reading, listening to classical music and family gatherings. Pooh was also a fan of “sleeping in”. Most of all Pooh was a planner. During their retirement years, Pooh and Papa travelled to various places: Arizona, Idaho, England, Ireland and South Africa. A year after Papa’s death, Pooh moved to Wexford Place Independent Living where she lived for 10 years. She continued to play bridge and swim in the pool there. She made friends at Wexford Place over the years including her best friend Letty among many others. Pooh enjoyed watching Public TV especially the Downton Abbey series. Pooh enjoyed regular visits from relatives and friends and loved hearing about their activities whether it was academics, bowling, travelling, or other life events. Pooh was also a lifelong learner. She went back to school and received her master’s degree in computer education from Kansas University. She always encouraged those around her to continue learning.

Pooh was predeceased by Papa, her parents, and siblings Tom and Loretta. Surviving her are her sister Mary Carol, her 7 children, 11 grandchildren Paul Alan (Amy) Hamilton, Daniel Anthony (Amanda) Lappin, Thomas Bartholomew (Alex) Janasz, Kevin Patrick (Naomi) Hamilton, Jean Carol (Phil) Dahan, Jana Yafang (Darby) Lappin, Cara Noelani Lappin, Jessie Lian Lappin, Jillian Lee Lappin, Clare Denise Lappin and Justin Joseph Janasz, a great granddaughter Lily Eileen Russ Hamilton and a great grandson on the way.

Visitation will be at McGilley Antioch Chapel 3325 NE Vivion Rd Kansas City, MO 64119 on Tuesday, January 23, 2024 from 6:00-8:00 PM with rosary at 6:30 PM. The funeral mass will be on Wednesday, January 24, 2024 at 10:00 AM at St. Therese Catholic Church 7207 MO-9 Kansas City, MO 64152. Committal service will follow at Leavenworth National Cemetery at 12:30 PM. Contributions may be made in Pooh’s memory to the Wexford Employee Holiday Fund, Kansas City Hospice, St Xavier University in Chicago, KCPT or the charity of your choice.

Pooh lived a long happy life and while the ending was rough and stressful, Pooh would want you to remember the happy times you spent with her, to be nice to each other and that she will be watching down on you from above.