Judie Scanlon

Judie Scanlon was born on August 25, 1939 to Thomas and Janet Stephenson of 6400 Morningside Drive, where she grew up the oldest of her four siblings. A graduate of St. Peter’s Catholic School, St. Teresa’s Academy and Avila University, she married Tom Scanlon and raised six children. In addition to her own children, Judie influenced students at Rockhurst High School for three decades with her wit and humor. As the special activities coordinator at Rockhurst for more than 26 years, Judie had a special knack for connecting the right volunteer with the right job. She raised countless dollars for Rockhurst at successful auctions year after year. For her, it was all about the boys. In 2014 when she was honored as one of Larry Moore’s hometown heroes on KMBC, she said, “It’s all a labor of love. I’m crazy about these young kids walking the hallways. It just makes you feel like the world is going to be OK.”

Judie was a diehard Royals fan. She loved gardening and was an avid tennis player, a left hander who beat her younger brother at singles when she was eight months pregnant with twins. She never let him forget it. She was a doting grandmother who rarely missed a sporting event or performance. She was loved for her keen intuition and interest in the lives of every person she met, young and old. She could spot a problem and devise a solution, usually unconventional.

She particularly enjoyed applying this skill to the young men at Rockhurst and single mothers she met throughout her life.

Judie loved her Irish heritage and was blessed with many of the characteristics that Irish women are known for—the gift of gab, quick comebacks and perseverance. She had a wee bit of a temper, which evolved into hilarious family memories because everything eventually became a funny story to Judie. Her determination through the ups and downs of life was an inspiration to everyone who knew and loved her. Judie had a form of Parkinson’s disease and rose to the challenge like a champ taking boxing classes as part of her therapy. She had a special bond with the therapists and caretakers that helped her navigate her path. She never gave up, always believed she could accomplish anything she set her mind to, and usually could. The week before her death, she decided that she’d like to learn to speak French and changed the language on her television to begin her studies. It turned out she selected German, so she probably won’t impress St. Peter with her new French language skills!

Judie was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Janet Stephenson, and grandson, Brody Williams. She is survived by her siblings, Sue Stephenson Rhodes and Jan Stephenson of Kansas City, Tom and Sally Stephenson of Dallas, and Harry and Sallie Lowery of Tulsa; children, Molly Scanlon, Amy Scanlon Taitt, Tom and Diane Scanlon, Stephen Scanlon, Mitch and Katie Williams, and Kerry and Teri Scanlon of Kansas City; grandchildren, Patrick Beebe, Ryan and Ellen Taitt, Kyle Taitt, Molly Taitt, Amanda Novascone Gulsby, T.J. Scanlon, Ally Scanlon, Kennedy, Quinn and Colt Scanlon, Max, Parker, Mallory and Ty Williams, and Jack, Tate, Libby and Beau Scanlon; five great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews, Martin and Bridget Rhodes, Tyler and Anne Wright, and Tom and Caitlin Stephenson Porto of Kansas City, Charlie “Brick” and Courtney Rhodes of Raleigh, North Carolina, John and Cauley Shaffert of Omaha, Nebraska, Kelly Stephenson and Jessica Gilles of San Antonio, Jack Stephenson of Dallas, Matt and Jennie Marchal of Nashville, Tennessee, Adam and Sarah Nuse of Bowling Green, Kentucky, and Chris and Megan Reilly of Rockwall, Texas.

A Mass will be held on Friday, August 12 at 1 p.m. at St. Peter’s Catholic Church followed immediately by a reception at the Rose Theater at Rockhurst High School. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Rockhurst High School/Judie Scanlon or The Parkinson’s Exercise and Wellness Center at https://www.thepewc.org/donate-now.