Margaret Claire Lyddon

Margaret was born April 9th, 1926, in Denver, Colorado to Frank and Grace (Geminhard) Carswell and was the oldest of four daughters. Moving to Kansas City at a young age, she later attended Southwest High School, class of 1943, before going on to graduate from the University of Colorado in 1947 with a B.A. in chemistry and mathematics. Margaret was an honor student and an active member of Kappa Alpha Theta. In 1946, Margaret married James Hamilton Lyddon, together they raised five children in Kansas City, Missouri.

In 1979, Margaret decided to go back to college for another degree receiving her M.B.A. from Rockhurst College Executive Fellows Program, graduating 'With Distinction'. She spent the following ten years working as the Executive Assistant to the Rockhurst Program Director. Always interested in academics and research, Margaret volunteered to participate in the KU Alzheimer's Study for over 30 years.

Margaret, affectionately known as Gigi to her grandchildren, loved to travel and took her entire family to Italy, the CA beach and on several trips to Dude Ranches in Colorado. Margaret's passion for tennis was legendary, playing until September. Her never ending interest in history spurred her on to be a Docent at the Alexander Major House and the Wornall House for over 30 years. Always a philanthropist, she was an avid lifelong PEO and volunteer for the Friends of the Kansas City Mounted Patrol. She also found time to play bridge, be in book and investment clubs, and edited and published the Southwest High School newsletter, The Trailer, for fellow alums who graduated between 1926-1951.

Margaret loved to 'chip in' and give back to her community and never met a stranger, saying a friendly 'Hello' to all who crossed her path. She will be remembered as a loving and generous mother, grandmother and great grandmother.

Margaret was preceded death by her parents Frank and Grace Carswell and sister Jane Carswell. She is survived by her five children Judi Adams, Lafayette, Colorado, Dr. Sue Hall, Ventura, California, Kathy Snyder (Mike), Prairie Village, Kansas, Nancy Sutherland (Perry), Overland Park, Kansas, James Lyddon, Jr. (Julianna), Phoenix, Arizona, and two sisters, Francis Carswell, Greenwood Village, Colorado, and Sue Peiker, Boulder, Colorado, 13 grandchildren, six great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Wornall House or the University of Kansas Alzheimer's Disease Center.

A memorial service is planned for Friday, January 27th, 2017 at 2pm at St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 6401 Wornall Terrace, Kansas City, Missouri.

Arrangements under the direction of Mt Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home, Kansas City, MO.