Elizabeth Tucker Gessley

Elizabeth Tucker Gessley, 87, of Prairie Village, KS, passed away on Friday, July 3, 2026. Memorial services will be held at Church of the Resurrection Overland Park, 8412 W. 95th St., on Friday, July 17, at 11:00 am, with a visitation at 10:00 am.

Elizabeth, who went by Libby, was born in Chillicothe, Missouri, and grew up in Independence, Missouri. She attended William Chrisman High School and went on to Colorado College in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority and graduated with a degree in political science. After college, she attended the University of Virginia, where she received a master’s degree in foreign affairs.

She married Donald Gessley in 1962. They settled in Independence, then moved to Wheaton, Illinois, where their children Mary and Bill were born. After their time in Wheaton, they spent a few years in New Providence, New Jersey, where Don worked for AT&T.

The family moved to Overland Park in 1973 and joined Valley View United Methodist Church, later Resurrection Overland Park. She remained committed to and involved in the church throughout her life.

Libby moved to Meadowbrook Senior Living in Prairie Village, Kansas, in 2022. She quickly made her apartment feel like home, formed new friendships, and became a volunteer in Meadowbrook’s library.

Libby combined a commitment to education and community service with her interest in history and antiques through her volunteer endeavors. She was active in the Kansas City Kappa Kappa Gamma alumnae chapter and served as the KKG Foundation’s scholarship chairperson for many years. She also worked extensively with the Wornall/Majors House Museums. She and Don were longtime supporters of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, and Libby enjoyed attending their annual Antiques Forum every February. In her spare time, Libby enjoyed reading, gardening, needlepoint, and time with friends and family.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Donald Gessley, and her parents Harry Deets Tucker and Dorothy Arrowsmith Tucker. She is survived by her daughter Mary Gessley Nixon, son-in-law Bill Nixon, son Bill Gessley, daughter-in-law Jennifer Gessley, and grandchildren Vaughn Gessley, Emma Nixon, Clare Gessley, and Kate Nixon.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation, or the charity of your choice.