Margaret B. Dalton

Margaret Brennan Dalton, 98, died February 8 at Delmar Gardens of Lenexa. She was the widow of Kirk Dalton, who worked at The Kansas City Times for 48 years, and who was its telegraph editor at the time of his death in 1973.

Margaret was born in West Mineral, Kansas, to Joseph Brennan and Pearl Waggoner Brennan. She loved her life in the little coalmining town, but the mines eventually played out. She and her family moved to Kansas City, Kansas, in 1927. She graduated from Wyandotte High School in 1930.

Margaret worked as a secretary for Kline’s Department Store, and for Panhandle Eastern Pipeline Company. She married Kirk in 1940. She longed for children and became very active in the lives of her many nieces and nephews, often bringing them home to stay for days at a time. Eventually, she and Kirk had daughters Diane and Sharon. The family moved to Overland Park in 1951.

Barely five feet tall, Margaret was a feisty ball of energy, and she never hesitated to speak her own mind. As Shakespeare said, “Though she be but little, she is fierce.” She was an excellent baker and cook. She made pies every Sunday for family dinners. She was an accomplished seamstress and milliner, and she made most of her own and her daughters’ clothes for many years.

She was the bookkeeper at Dalton’s Flowers in Downtown Overland Park, where she did her best to keep all the employees on their toes.

Margaret’s passion was genealogy. She made many trips to Ireland to research both sides of the family. Her curiosity and tenacity resulted in a vast collection of knowledge of family history.

After her husband’s death, her focus became her children and her grandchildren. Her first grandchild, Brennan Diane (“Brandy”) Bugler, christened her “Maga,” and that became her name to all of Brandy’s and her sister Alexis’ (“Bubba”) friends as well. She adored the girls, and she was a fixture at all of their activities, Sunday meals and family celebrations. She never slowed down, and she was an active participant in the lives of Brandy’s daughters, her great-grandchildren, Aislyn and Taegan, as well.

When Brandy died in 2002, Margaret, then age 90, helped take care of Aislyn and Taegan every day. She would race them around the house in their strollers. She would “tickle their backs” in quiet times.

After a series of illnesses and accidents, Margaret moved to Delmar Gardens in Lenexa. Although she suffered from dementia, she never forgot who her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were.

We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the staff of caregivers at Delmar Gardens. Margaret’s niece, Janet Brennan Kloster, who is a nurse there, made Delmar Gardens a home for Margaret. Because Janet called her Aunt Margaret, the rest of the staff did as well. At one time, Margaret commented, “I never knew I had so many relatives!” Janet’s love, attentive devotion, and unerring medical knowledge comforted not just Margaret, but her family as well. We knew she was in the best place possible. Thank you, Janet, forever and always.

When Alexis and her husband, Andrew Close, had their first child, Dalton Wrigley Close, in 2009, Margaret fell in love with him instantly. She so enjoyed Dalton’s visits.

Margaret’s health deteriorated quite rapidly in the past week. Through her final struggle, she showed us that there is much poetry in life. Her fourth great-grandchild, Delaney Brennan Close, was born Monday, February 7. Margaret waited until she saw pictures of the new baby that afternoon. Then she closed her eyes and slipped away. She died the next day with Diane and Sharon at her side.

Margaret was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church.

Margaret was preceded in death by a third daughter, Denise Ann, and brother Leo J. Brennan and his wife Alma. Survivors include daughters Diane Kirkwood Dalton and Sharon Dalton Bugler, and granddaughter Alexis Bugler Close and her husband Andrew, all of Overland Park. Her great-grandchildren are Aislyn and Taegan Endecott of Olathe, and Dalton and Delaney Close of Overland Park. Also surviving are her brother, James (Mickey) Brennan and his wife, Irene, of Kansas City, Kansas, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 5-8 PM, Tuesday, February 15 at McGilley & Hoge Chapel, 8024 Santa Fe Drive, Overland Park. A graveside committal service will be held at 1:00 PM, Wednesday, February 16 at Resurrection Cemetery, Lenexa, KS. Please offer condolences at mcgilleyhogememorialchapel.com.

Arrangements under the direction of McGilley & Hoge Johnson County Memorial Chapel, Overland Park, KS.