Mary Betty Sweeney

Sep 22, 2015 | Obituaries, Obituaries 2015 | 2 comments

Mary Betty Sweeney, 85, of Prairie Village, KS, passed away September 19, 2015 after a long and courageous battle with COPD. Betty was born in Columbus, Ohio and raised in Fulton, Missouri by her parents, high school principal George, and teacher Ermine Newbolt. She proudly played the clarinet in the high school marching band when Sir Winston Churchill came to Fulton to deliver his famous “Iron Curtain” speech. Betty graduated from the University of Missouri where she was a member of Delta Gamma sorority and an enthusiastic MIZZOU Tiger fan.

Over the years, Betty participated in the Kansas City Young Matrons Children’s Community Theater sharing her love of the stage, friendship and performance with the youth of Kansas City. She was an active member of the Saddle and Sirloin Club where the annual Ladies Trail Ride skits were rehearsed with treasured friends and performed for the entertainment of all. She was also a dedicated volunteer for and supporter of The American Royal and Starlight Theater.

Betty’s love of her children and grandchildren was without measure. She was a dedicated mother to sons Mike (Sue) and Dan (Ann) whom she loved with all her heart. Her support of her boys was endless; from little league games, to high school teams to sharing their love of the Royals, Betty was always by her sons’ sides or cheering them on from the bleachers. A magnificent “Mimi” to her four adoring grandchildren, Kate, Dan, Nicholas (Mary), and Jessica, Betty made their frequent visits special and uniquely Mimi. Overnights included playing Uncle Wiggly, watching Dr. Doolittle or Bedknobs and Broomsticks, eating HoHo’s or buttered bread dashed with sugar and sprinkles, drinking pink Gingerale, playing with her trunks and trunks of theater costumes, and setting up a hot wheels track down her basement steps that she never made them take down.

Betty had a unique gift of recognizing and appreciating the talents of her family and others and making everyone feel loved. Their goals were her goals, and she delighted in their accomplishments no matter how small.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggest memorial contributions be made to Betty’s church, The Village Presbyterian Church or (in honor of her love for animals – especially her dogs) Great Plains SPCA.

Services will be Tuesday, September 29, 3:00 at the Village Presbyterian Church (6641 Mission Road, P.V. KS 66208) with a reception to follow. Assistance by Funeral Advocates

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Martha Payne Bolton

7 years ago

I too played in the Fulton High School Band when Churchill came to make his famous speech.
I have thought of Betty and Mr. & Mrs. Newbolt many times over the years.
You have my sincere condolences for the loss of your much loved Betty.

Mary

6 years ago

My condolences. Betty’s mother was the first cousin of my grandfather, Charles Hensley.

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Dad has commented several times since mom's passing how her Celebration of Life was such a nice tribute to her and how grateful he was for that process to be handled so smoothly.

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Nicole

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