Marie Bassham

Marie Anna Bassham, 81, of Leawood, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, October 29, 2014. She was born May 28, 1933 to Pietro and Anna Pascuzzi in Kansas City, Missouri. Visitation will be at 10:00 a.m. and a Celebration of Marie’s Life will be at 11:00 a.m., Monday, November 3, 2014, Evangel Church, 1414 E. 103rd St., Kansas City, MO 64131. Burial in Mt. Moriah Cemetery.

Marie married the love of her life, D. Kenneth Bassham, in 1956. She said that she knew when she first laid eyes on Kenny that she would marry him. The two were married for almost 26 years, until his death in 1982. At his passing, Marie arranged to have the steeple placed atop Evangel Church as a memorial to him. Marie was an amazingly strong person and very generous. With her husband, she built a successful business. She was devoted to her family, to her church and to her Savior. Marie lived much of her life in service to others. Marie always kept the cookie jar stocked, ostensibly for her boys but as much for herself. She loved visiting with family and friends and filled many happy hours laughing and talking with them.

Marie was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Nick, Sam, Louis and Frank Pascuzzi; sisters Fannie Raccuglia, Rose Thomas, Elizabeth Pascuzzi, Marie Pascuzzi and JoAnn Carnevale. She is survived by her sons, Darryl (Carmen) and Michael; and her sisters Angeline Marshall (Bob) of Lenexa, Kansas, and Jan Hankel (Matt) of Gladstone, Missouri; and many beloved nieces and nephews. Her passing leaves a great hole in many hearts.