Mary Jane Pointer

Mar 24, 2012 | Obituaries, Obituaries 2012

MARY JANE POINTER
Mary Jane Pointer of Kansas City, Mo., died peacefully in her home on Monday, March 19, 2012. She was 79.

Mary Jane was born March 1, 1933, to Agnes (Duffy) Payne and Stoney Payne in Kansas City. She was the third of four children and the second daughter. She adored her parents, and her siblings were some of her closest confidants.

She grew up in Our Lady of Sorrows parish and graduated from Lillis High School.

Two years after a serendipitous meeting, Mary Jane married the love of her life, Bill Pointer, on Nov. 16, 1957. They built a life together in Kansas City with their two sons, Bill and Rob.

Guided by an endlessly nurturing spirit, she chose to spend much of her life at home with her children. She relished being there to send her boys off to school each day and to welcome them home at the end of it. She always kept her door open and her kitchen stocked for any neighbors, friends or family who might come by the house.

Mary Jane also enjoyed strong bonds with many of her nieces and nephews. She welcomed them into her home through the years, and treated them as her own. She also fostered a close relationship with her daughter-in-law, Andrea (Walter) Pointer. These were some of the most beloved people in her life.

In her later years, she and Bill used their free time to travel the miles of highway crisscrossing the United States and Canada. Sometimes family and friends joined, but often it was only the two of them. They would pick a destination, occasionally just based on an interesting name, and set off on a road trip.

She also volunteered at St. Joseph’s Medical Center, and was a member of the Ladies of Charity.

The great joy of the second half of her life was helping to care for her three granddaughters: Kathleen, Allison and Mollie. Her exuberance and spunk guided her creation of magical worlds for “her girls.” She gave them a childhood rooted in creativity and imagination, and taught them the importance of storytelling as well as how to jump rope and hula-hoop.

Raised in a devout Irish Catholic family, Mary believed in the power of prayer and was frequently heard saying: “God save us and guard us and guide us.”

Mary Jane is survived by her husband of nearly 55 years, Bill Pointer of Kansas City, Mo.; son Bill and daughter-in-law Andrea of Leawood, Ks.; son Rob of Kansas City, Mo.; granddaughters Kathleen, Allison and Mollie Pointer; sister-in-law Helena Davis; brother-in-law Michael Davis, nieces Judy Pool, Mary Henss, Ann Lasswell, Cathy Tymkow, Lisa Davis, Patricia Brown, Karen Marks, Barbara Payne; nephews Larry Miller, Michael Davis, Tim Davis, James Joseph Payne, Michael Payne, John Payne, Tom Payne, Christopher Payne; and other extended family.

Her parents Agnes (Duffy) Payne and Stoney Payne, her sister Betty (Payne) Miller, her brothers Bill Payne and Jim Payne, preceded her in death.

The visitation begins at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday at Cure’ of Ars Catholic Church, 9401 Mission Road, Leawood, KS. A rosary will be said at 11 a.m. Mass begins at 11:30 a.m. Saturday. Burial at Mount Olivet Cemetery will follow.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Catholic Community Hospice or the National Parkinson Foundation. Condolences may be left at Signature Funerals.

The family wishes to offer a special thanks to those who offered spiritual support and cared for her during her illness.

Arr: Signature Funerals 8019 State Line Rd. KCMO 64114 www.cathyb6.sg-host.com

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