Mary Lynn Wakefield

Mary Lynn (Todd) Wakefield passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, September 9, 2015. She was born to Mary Ethlyn (Kepley) and James Floyd Todd on Friday, July 13, 1923 at the Kepley homestead in Braymer, MO. The family lived many years in Excelsior Springs, MO, where Mary Lynn graduated from Excelsior Springs High School in 1941. The next few years she enjoyed the busy resort town working as a medical secretary at the McCleary Clinic and Health Spa and as a concert pianist in and around Kansas City. On June 4, 1949, she married James (Jim) Oren Wakefield after a 6-month courtship. She and Jim lived in several states before making their home in Gladstone, MO, in 1958. In 1959 the family joined Fairview Christian Church where Mary Lynn accepted numerous responsibilities, including participating in Christian Women’s Fellowship and serving as the first church secretary, a Deaconess, and on various committees. Mary Lynn also kept busy with civic and social activities, such as Beta Sigma Phi (60+ years), Red Hats (3 groups), her Lunch Bunch, antiquing, and traveling the world. As busy as she was, the one thing she valued most and made her first priority was time with her family. Mary Lynn was a witty and vivacious lady who brightened lives with her constant smile and zest for life. You couldn't help but notice that she always managed to perfectly match her shoes, purse, jewelry, and nails to every colorful outfit she wore. She was a loving mother and grandmother who gave the best bear hugs and cheek kisses, and she will be greatly missed by all whose lives she touched.

Mary Lynn was predeceased by her parents, her brother, J. Roger Todd, and her husband of 45 years. She is survived by her daughters, Dr. Deborah Gay Wakefield of Granbury, TX, and Karen Wakefield Salisbury (Tom) of Kansas City; her granddaughters Hollis Wakefield (Dallas, TX), Jennifer Salisbury (Columbia, MO) and Kathleen Salisbury (North Hollywood, CA), her cat, Sabrina, and many other relatives and dear friends across the nation. The extra care provided by Claudia, Liz, and the interim team greatly enhanced the quality of Mary Lynn’s life in her later years.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Mary Lynn's memory to Fairview Christian Church (1800 NE 65th St., Gladstone, MO 64118) or the Friends of Parkville Animal Shelter (PO Box 29121, Parkville, MO 64152). For the past few years, Mary Lynn thoroughly enjoyed close companionship with Sabrina, a senior cat adopted from FOPAS, and a donation in her memory will allow others to do the same. Donations may be mailed to PO Box 29121, Parkville, MO 64152 and also are accepted online at http://parkvilleshelter.com/tribute-or-memorial-donation/.

Funeral services for Mary Lynn are scheduled at 2:00 PM Saturday, September 19th at the McGilley Antioch Chapel with visitation from 1-2 PM. Burial will follow the services in White Chapel Cemetery, Gladstone, MO.