Shari Layle

Shari Layle, born Shari Lidikay on September 23, 1936, peacefully passed away on December 5, 2023, at the age of 87 in Overland Park, Kansas. She was beloved by her family and friends and will be deeply missed.

A ceremony to honor Shari’s life will be held for friends and family at the Old Mission Methodist Church, 5519 State Park Road, Fairway, Kansas at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 28. A reception for friends and family will follow immediately afterward at Mission Hills Country Club, 5400 Mission Drive, Mission Hills, Kansas.

Shari is welcomed into heaven by her parents, Pauline and Donald Lidikay. She will be dearly missed by her husband, John Layle MD, and their two daughters and spouses, Tristan Duncan and Tim, and Stephanie Seigfreid and Tom. Her grandchildren and their spouses, Tess Duncan Benoit and Cody, JT Seigfreid and Dale, Max Duncan, and Sophie McCluskey and Daniel, will always cherish Shari with great admiration and love. She is also survived by her sister, Donna Kempin, and her children, Sara (Keith) Campbell, Shari (Michael) Deninno, Donald (Susan) Kempin and Vance (Julie) Kempin.

Shari will be remembered for her nurturing character and devotion to friends and family. She was passionate and selfless in her service to family and friends and will be dearly missed for her constant attention to their needs.

Shari was an extremely talented lady with a love for teaching and discussing books and ideas. She showed a keen interest in learning what was most important to her family and friends and drawing out their deeply held thoughts and beliefs. Shari relished being a kindergarten teacher and continued her special style of teaching with her own children and grandchildren. She will be remembered as exhibiting a delicate elegance and charm while also grit and a pioneering spirit.

Shari was active in five book clubs, ATC, PEO, St. Luke’s Wives, and Alpha Chi Omega – where she established lifelong friendships. Shari was one of four Baker University sorority sisters who married four Baker University fraternity brothers (“The Baker Eight”) all of whom loved their annual summer cabin life together on Star Island, Minnesota. Throughout their marriage, Shari and John were a team in their familial, professional, social, and recreational lives. She had a deep love for the outdoors, where she and John and their entire family found their happiest moments.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Heart of America Chapter, 8001 Conser, Suite 204, Overland Park, Kansas 66204.