Mary Janet Locke

Mary “Janet” Locke, 78, died peacefully on Wednesday, November 15, surrounded by her family. Friends may visit from 4:00–7:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 19 at McGilley Midtown Chapel, 20 W. Linwood, Kansas City, Missouri. A rosary and memorial service will begin at 5:30. The Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, November 20, at Holy Cross Church, 8311 West 93rd Street, in Overland Park, followed by a toast to her life at Bedford Court Clubhouse, 12101 Hayes, Overland Park. The family suggests donations to Holy Cross Church of Overland Park, Kansas or Meals on Wheels, in lieu of flowers.

Janet was born to Maggie (Maley) O’Neill and Bernard O’Neill on June 11, 1928 in Kansas City, Missouri. She graduated from Loretto Academy. She attended Webster College in St. Louis, Missouri. She was married for 40 years to Robert W. Locke. Together they had ten children, eight of whom survive her. She is the beloved grandmother of ten grandchildren.

Janet owned and operated Locke’s Liquors for many years, where she promoted Bailey’s Irish Cream as an essential ingredient to a happy life. She had been an active volunteer for Meals on Wheels, touching the lives of everyone she visited every Friday. She shared her love of reading through volunteering with Project Literacy for many years. For several years, in lieu of Christmas gifts, she asked that her family donate gifts for families at Don Bosco Centers. She loved to travel, and to see her beloved grandchildren, visit the boats, and eat steakburgers at Winstead’s with her good friends, Dee McDonald, Rose Svoboda, Marilyn Mischlich, and Marge Gladbach. She shared many laughs and veggie subs from Planet Sub with her sister, Martha. She has been surrounded by the love of good friends such as Jerry Fraher, a Loretto classmate, Marilyn Rose, and Don Looney.

She is survived by eight children and their families, Tim and JoLynn Locke of Wellsville, Kansas, parents to Mike and Steve Locke; Linda Locke and Rory Ellinger of St. Louis, parents to Maggie and Martin Ellinger-Locke; Debby Locke and Lyle Dechant of Mack, Colorado; Cynthia and Mike Lackner, who divide their time between Santa Fe, New Mexico and Overland Park, parent to Diane; Nancy and Josh Rolock of Chicago, parents to Reiny and Mylee; Katie Locke and Gareth Pulman, of the Cayman Islands, parent to Annabel; MaryAnn and Reid Wilson of Cary, North Carolina, parents to Rosie and Kerry; and Jan and John Wong of Tokyo, Japan. Two children, Diane Locke and John Locke, preceded her in death. In addition, she is survived by five sisters, Jean O’Neill, Katie O’Neill, Martha O’Neill Mertz, Mary O’Neill, and Ann O’Neill Gillespie, and a sister-in-law, Jean Wigert O’Neill. Janet’s death was preceded by Patrick O’Neill and Peggy Loschke Tener. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews and godchildren, and was a second Mom to many.