Joanne Jean Arnold

Joanne Jean Arnold, 93, passed away January 20, 2025, at the Kansas City Hospice House in Missouri. She was born February 17, 1931, in Kansas City, MO to Loren and Thelma (Mullen) Waite. Joanne graduated from Westport High School in 1948 and married Charles Arnold in 1958, sharing 65 wonderful years together.

Over the years, Joanne worked various full and part time secretarial jobs at the Bendix Plant, for O’Flaherty Appraising and with builder Bill Chiles. She then enjoyed 3 years as a clerk at The Jones Store where she spent more money than she made. In 1986 she started Serendipity Ceramics where she taught classes in her basement for nearly 30 years, sharing her love of painting with family, friends, children and grandchildren. Joanne would often use her artistic skills to repair and paint religious statues both locally and across the US.

A convert to the Catholic faith, Joanne’s life was centered around family and church. She was a founding member of the Church of the Ascension and served as a daily sacristan for many years. Joanne was also the first coordinator of both the Arts & Environment Committee and the Adoration Chapel of The Blessed Sacrament, which she attended with joy. She was also a member of the Flames of Love prayer group and a former member of the Beta Sigma Phi non-collegiate sorority.

Joanne will be remembered as a faithful servant of God with amazing energy and a unique sense of humor. And although she was in memory care, her sharp wit was always intact and she continued to remember the names of her loved ones through to the end. Hugging her great-grandchildren brought her much joy and her biggest smiles.

Joanne was preceded in death by her husband Charles Arnold, her parents Loren and Thelma Waite, and her brother William Waite. She is survived by her son Tim (Lori) Arnold of Lawrence, KS, her daughter Kathy (Ben) Bellinder of Olathe, KS, and her five grandchildren: Alyssa, Andrew, Jenna, Emily, and Charlie. Joanne was also blessed with ten beautiful great-grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on January 29, 2025, at the Church of the Ascension, 9510 W. 127th Street, Overland Park, KS 66213. Visitation will begin at 9:00am, rosary at 9:40am, funeral Mass at 10:00am. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Kansas City Hospice House (Wornall) and Advice & Aid Pregnancy Center. The family would like to thank all the wonderful people who lovingly cared for Joanne over the past year at Senior Care Homes’ New Caanan House and during her last two weeks at the KC Hospice House.

Online condolences can be made at SignatureFunerals.com. The funeral services will be broadcast via YouTube at this link: www.youtube.com/@kcascensionlive7259