Mary Denise Herrington

Mary Denise Herrington, 67, passed away January 4, 2024 due to health-related issues. Mary was born February 1, 1956, in Kansas City, MO to James and Mary Herrington. She graduated from Southwest High School (1974), attended Penn Valley Community College, and began a career in the financial industry.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, James and Mary Herrington, her nephew Cameron Herrington, sister-in law Mara Sprecker Herrington, and life partner William (Bill) Cowan. She is survived by 4 sisters and 4 brothers: Peggy (Bill), Pat (Kimm), Suzy English, Katie Hiett, Frances King (Terry), Danny, Jimmy (Mary Kathleen), and Michael (Karla). Mary also leaves behind 26 nieces and nephews and 12 great nieces and nephews.

As number three in a large family, Mary excelled as a cook and as an artist. Her creative talents can be found in gowns, Halloween costumes, holiday pillowcases, baby blankets, and afghans she crafted for her nieces and nephews. She also knitted and donated hundreds of these blankets to Children's Mercy Hospital in memory of her nephew. Her artistry lives on in the needlepoint canvases she created for each of our homes. Her thoughtfulness was also reflected in 100 plus birthday cards she sent to relatives and friends each year to let them know how special they were.

She enjoyed spending time with her nieces and nephews and doing her best to spoil them. She organized massive Easter egg hunts, packed hundreds of plastic eggs with sweets, and gave each niece and nephew small gifts to add to their Easter baskets.

An avid KC Chiefs fan, Mary often stated that it was best if she watched the games alone as she could get quite loud and animated doing her own play-by-play broadcast. Those of us who knew her best definitely agreed with her decision.

Mary touched many people as she made her way through life and continues to do so through her organ donations. Her family feels a tremendous loss and will miss her laughter and her artistic talents.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, February 17, 2024 at St. Thomas More Catholic Church. A Visitation and Life Celebration will begin at 3:00 PM the same day at McGilley State Line Chapel.

In recognition of our loss, the Herrington family would like to thank all medical personnel who supported Mary and her family in her time of need. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Children's Mercy Hospital in her name.