Mary E. Gaines

Born February 2, 1918, in Sharon, Pennsylvania, to Helen and John Duffy, she attended Sacred Heart School and was a 1936 graduate of Sharon High School.

She moved to Kansas City in 1941 and worked at the Quartermaster Depot in Kansas City until her marriage. She married the love of her life, Harvey Ruoff Gaines, in 1943. She was widowed in 1957 and, with six children to support, she worked as an administrative assistant and bookkeeper for many years. At age 50, she fulfilled her lifelong dream and earned her nursing degree. She greatly enjoyed her nursing work for many years until her retirement.

Along with her late husband Harvey, Mary was a founding member of St. Pius X Church in Mission, Kansas, and remained a devout parishioner for over 50 years. She was a lively and generous friend whose home was open to anyone in need, and many of her children’s friends considered her a second mother. She was a great bridge player and was always ready for an evening of bridge. She also loved to host a group of friends who would sing and play guitars for her. She greatly enjoyed her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Everyone was welcome in her home, but she particularly loved visits from children; she never worried about them making noise or glorious messes of any kind.

Survivors include her children Nena Marie Beckley, Chicago, IL; Michael Gaines and his wife Paula, Waco, TX; Nancy Hall and her husband Wayne, Ft. Thomas, KY; Janet Hartley and her husband Bob, Mission, KS; Pamela Gaines and her husband Scott Amsden, Dartmouth, NS; and Patty Gaines, Roeland Park, KS; 17 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; three sisters, Sarah K. Duffy, Patricia A. Zeitler and Frances J. Kopetsky; and five brothers, James, John, Joseph, Robert, and Daniel Duffy.

The family is very grateful to Alice Myers and the St. Luke's Health System Hospice, Eleanor and the volunteers from Catholic Charities, and the medical staff at the KU Medical Center.

Services will be held at St. Pius X Church, 5500 Woodson, Mission, KS 66202 on Saturday, August 30, 2014 at 10am. Visitation will begin at 9am, with a Rosary to be said at 9:45am. Burial in Resurrection Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be sent to The American Heart Association, 7272 Greenville Ave.,

Dallas, TX 75231; or to The Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation, 2811 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90403; or Saint Luke’s Home Care & Hospice, c/o Saint Luke’s Foundation, 4225 Baltimore Ave., Kansas City, MO 64111; or to the charity of your choice. Online condolences may be left at www.mcgilleyhoge.com.

Arr: McGilley & Hoge, 8024 Santa Fe Dr, Overland Park, KS 66204