Josephine "Jo" McKiernan

McKiernan, Josephine Mary, 84, passed away, July 5, 2024. Josephine “Jo” moved to the US from Great Yarmouth, England after marrying her husband, who was stationed nearby in the US Air Force. She is the oldest of eight. She experienced the war in England with Germany at a young age and reflected on the times in the underground bomb shelters with her family.

Jo was a stay-at-home Mother during her daughters’ early years. She obtained her beautician’s license and worked in a shop for several years. She also worked in management at Mr. Swiss, Montgomery Ward, and Weigand Omega throughout the years. She was a troop leader for her daughters’ brownie and girl scout troops. She was also a room parent at the school and never missed an opportunity to participate to the fullest. She dressed up one year for Halloween in a witches costume complete with makeup that was much like the wicked witch in the Wizard of Oz and many kids ran/hid/screamed and wouldn’t get up close. She also assisted All Saints Catholic School with makeup and costumes that helped the “The Velveteen Rabbit” come to life in a play at her daughter’s school.

Jo loved her caregivers, resident friends, BINGO games, beach volleyball, social times, and birds at the Catholic Care Center and hanging out in the BISTRO for lunch. She adored the visits from the many butterflies she received over her lifetime as well as a good “Cup of Tea”. She was always up for a game of Yahtzee, UNO, or any game with her grandkids over the years.

She is preceded in passing by her daughter, Joanne Violet Kalinowski; father of her three daughters, William James “Jim” McKiernan; parents, John Frederick Percy Perrin, Josephine Violet “Vi” Osborn; sister, Donna Summers.

She is survived by her daughters: Julie (Chris) Downey, and Jennifer Schamber; son-in-law: John Kalinowski; grandchildren: Matthew Blubaugh, Misty Blubaugh, Jeremy Blubaugh, Andrew Benson and their father Dale Blubaugh; Nicholas Wasinger, Quentin Downey, James Wasinger, and Macie Schamber; seven great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; sisters, Judith Palmer, and Theresa Waterhouse; brothers, John Perrin, David Perrin, Anthony Perrin, and Eric Osborn; and other extended family in England and Australia; Suzanne Bobetsky; her beloved dog Tootsie and her lovely caregiver & dear friend Debbie Rose.

Many thanks to the staff and resident friends at Catholic Care Center for the past years that they were her family and loved and helped take care of her.

Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be held at 4:00 PM on Thursday, August 1, 2024, the Mass of Christian Burial will follow on Friday, August 2, 2024 at 11:00 AM, both at Catholic Care Center inside the St. Elizabeth's Chapel, 6700 E 45th St N, Bel Aire, KS 67226.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to: Congregation of Carmelite Sisters of St.Teresa, 2714 N. Rushwood Court, Wichita, KS 67226, or Kansas Humane Society, 3313 North Hillside, Wichita, Kansas 67219.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ResthavenMortuary-Cemetery.com for the family.