Thelma L. Hemenway

Thelma Lucille Lux Hemenway, 94, mother, wife, bookkeeper, gourmet, seamstress, and political volunteer died on May 1, 2020 in League City, TX. She died from complications associated with type 2 diabetes.

Mrs. Hemenway was born in Topeka, KS on July 8, 1925 the oldest of 5 children. Her parents were Nicholas Joseph Lux and Ella VanHole Lux. Her grandfather had emigrated from Belgium and was a successful farmer near the town of Topeka for many years. Her grandfather and grandmother enjoyed entertaining the growing family and everyone wanted to be able to cook like they did. Thelma experienced the hard edge of the Great Depression. Her father had his own company during that time, and he kept his employees working and paid himself last rather than let anyone go. Thelma learned how to make the best of things and was naturally frugal as many who were raised during that time had to be. The family moved to Kansas City where Thelma graduated from East High School during the Second World War. Always good with numbers she successfully landed increasingly responsible positions at companies supporting the war and later the post war economy. Her last position was with the Hollywood trade magazine "Box Office", which published movie news beginning in 1920. She met and married her husband, Robert (Bob) W. Hemenway in 1953 and helped him raise his two daughters Connie and Kerry. After 60 years together, her husband passed on in 2014.

After retiring from Box Office, she put her organizing and accounting skills to work for volunteer positions with her church and political committees. She shared her political and social interests with her husband Bob and her contributions were appreciated. She regularly went to meetings and social gatherings and frequently provided amazing food whenever there was a potluck for the Local 533 Pipe Fitter retirees. She and her husband were well known members of Christ the King Catholic parish and later of St. Thomas Moore where they attended church faithfully. Thelma was active in the Jackson County Democrats of Missouri for many years. Members of that organization encouraged direct liaisons between neighborhoods and communities and the Democratic Party. Thelma was recognized for her volunteerism and other contributions to the Democratic Party objectives.

Thelma's hobbies were cooking and collecting cookbooks which she enjoyed sharing with friends and family. She also sewed all her life making many of her own clothes, lots of colorful quilts, children's costumes and even prom dresses. She was an excellent decorator and enjoyed growing tomatoes in her garden.

At the time of her death, Thelma was living near her daughter, Kerry G. Neas in League City, Texas, but she spent most of her life in Kansas City, Missouri.

Thelma is survived by three of her siblings; Louis Lux of Green Valley, MO, Eileen Pratt of Salina, KS, and Charles Lux of Piketon, OH. She was preceded in death by her youngest sister, Patricia Dodge of Kansas City. She is also survived by Constance C. Aring of Lone Tree, CO and Kerry G. Neas of League City, TX as well as grandchildren, Rhonda C. Biffle of Hawaii, Gina M. Surovik of Texas, Nicholas J. Greco of Texas, and Maili K. Dilworth of Colorado. Her grandson, Matthew J. Lutz preceded her in death in 2011. She was always close to her sister-in-law, Jeanne Downing of Colorado Springs throughout her life. Thelma leaves 15 great-grandchildren as well as 9 great-great grandchildren. She also has many nieces and nephews who think of her fondly as well. Thelma always remembered birthdays of family and friends and sent out cards and gifts to them throughout her long life. She will be missed and remembered with fondness by all who knew her.

Burial will be next to her husband at Mount Olivet Cemetery and Mausoleum, Kansas City, Missouri.

In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Diabetes Research Institute on Thelma's behalf may be sent to 1450 NW 10th Avenue, Miami, FL 33136; or a donation to the ALS Association on behalf of Thelma's sister, Patricia Dodson, may be sent to PO Box 37022, Boone, IA 50037. (Links to both organizations can be found below.)

You are invited to virtually attend the Committal Service which will be live-streamed on Thursday, May 28, at 2:00 PM CDT at: https://www.facebook.com/Mcgilley-State-Line-Chapel-116568315070671.

(A link to this can also be found below.)