Elizabeth "Zee-bé-kwé" Jane Hancock

She is now with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Elizabeth was born November 16, 1932, in New Kirk, Kay County, Oklahoma to Carl and Laura Ogeal Bourassa Maisch. Her family relocated to Kansas City, Missouri in the late 1930’s. She attended Westport High School, Kansas City, MO and married her high school sweetheart William Claude Hancock on January 6, 1950, and they had three children.

Elizabeth was a Citizen Potawatomi of Oklahoma and very proud of her Potawatomi heritage. She and her family were one of the first families involved in the Council Fire of Greater Kansas City (later known as the Kansas City Indian Club), promoting fellowship of Native Americans of all tribes in the Kansas City area. She also volunteered at the Kansas City Indian Center in the 1980’s.

Elizabeth’s Potawatomi name is Zee-bé-kwé, River Woman. She is from the Bear Clan. Elizabeth enjoyed pow wows, Southern and Northern drums, and all Native American and Potawatomi Gatherings she could attend.

She is preceded in death by her husband, William Claude Hancock; son, Patrick Neal Hancock; her parents, Carl and Laura Ogeal Bourassa Maisch; and her brother, Jerry Lee Maisch.

She is survived by son Michael Lee Hancock (Brenda), daughter Peggy Hancock Kinder (Steven), sister Patricia Brollier, and sister Barbara Brendalson. Grandchildren, Michael Holmes; Tamara Cole; Phillip Hancock; Brian Hancock; William Hancock, William Kinder and Joseph Kinder, along with eight great grandchildren, and many nieces, and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages contributions to the organizations Elizabeth supported: Murrow Indian Children’s Orphanage (Home) in Muskogee, Oklahoma, and Billy Mills’ Running Strong program for Native American youths.

A visitation for Elizabeth will be held Tuesday, February 15, 2022 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Following the visitation will be a graveside service at 11:00 AM, both at White Chapel Funeral Home and Cemetery, 6600 NE Antioch Road, Gladstone, MO 64119.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.dwnwhitechapel.com for the Hancock family.