Richard “Dick” Enna, Sr., passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving wife and family Sunday, September 26th at 12:44pm.
Dick was born on October 19, 1932 in Kansas City to Joe Enna and Corrine (Hentzen) Enna. He grew up in the Westport area and was a member of Guardian Angels parish. He graduated from Guardian Angels Grade School, and Rockhurst High School. He attended Donnelly College, and after he took leave to serve his country in the Coast Guard, he came back and graduated from Rockhurst College as a marketing major. Dick met Mary Lou Leavitt within a couple of years of graduation at the Rockhurst discussion club and it was love at first sight. They dated every day during the month of December and at the end of the month Dick proposed, and they became husband and wife a few months later on May 28, 1960.
Dick leaves behind his wonderful family. First and foremost his soulmate and wife of almost 62 years Mary Lou, sons Rick (Jeanne), Jeremiah (Mona) and Joe Enna, and foster daughter Cassie Clark; grandchildren Emily Schmitz (Jake), Elizabeth Tujague (Andrew), Steven (Summer Brills, fiancé) and Samuel Enna; Niko, Iris, Noelle and Richard Enna; Katlyn and Halli Enna; Natalie Clark; and great grandchildren, Declan, Liam and Fulton Schmitz, and Tommy Tujague.
He also leaves behind his beloved sister June and is reunited with all of his family and friends who predeceased him, including his other sister and June’s identical twin, Jean. He loved and greatly cherished his friendship with all his nephews, nieces, cousins, and the many friends he had along the journey.
Dick was an amazing role model and always present to us as husband, father, grandfather, sibling, uncle and friend. He was a private person but had a huge faith that he made sure was instilled in his family, and drilled it home through his actions. He was blessed with huge gifts as an athlete, musician, artist, entrepreneur, but his number one passion and commitment, was being present always for his family. He sacrificed time he would otherwise have spent enjoying many things he did well, and used it instead to form his boys, teaching us to pray, work, and play, and respect and love our mom. He taught through his actions and at times through his words, whether as a coach, on camping trips, playing sports together, or just hanging out.
He did all of this while suffering from chronic illness for over 45 years. He never used his illness as an excuse, but rather thrived in spite of it and most never knew he was sick. In spite of this he certainly had nine lives, making health come back after come back, until God called him home. He wasn’t perfect, but he has left his family crying tears of joy for the amazing man who now is perfect in heaven.
We would like to thank all of our family and friends who have been praying for Dick and all of us.
We want to thank the brilliant and wonderful KU Med doctors and their staffs who have cared for dad over these last number of years.
We are thankful for the compassionate care provided by the nurses and team from Catholic Community Hospice in his final days.
Finally, words cannot express enough our thanks to without a doubt the most amazing friends and care givers ever at Villa St. Francis in Olathe. How they embraced our dad and family from day one years ago to his final days kept Dad and all of us joyful throughout dad’s final journey.
Dick, Dad, Pappaw, we love you and will miss you, immeasurably. The great story teller has gone home to be with his Creator, and the Community of Saints.
For those who wish to donate to charity in memory of Dick, the family requests donations to Villa St. Francis Catholic Care Center, 16600 W. 126th Street, Olathe, KS 66062.
Funeral – Holy Spirit Catholic Church 11300 W 103rd Street Overland Park, Kansas 66214
Visitation will be at 9:30am Friday October 1, 2021; rosary will be said at 10:15am followed by the funeral mass at 10:30am. The funeral will be live streamed:
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/hscatholicchurch/live
Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/c/HolySpiritOnline
There will be a light reception immediately following the funeral at the church. There will be a private family burial.
The Enna’s & Kennaley’s are family or so us kids all believed for years. I believe in my heart that since Dick & Mary Lou are my Godparents y’all are my Godbrothers – I love you all. I have always held a special spot in my heart for you guys. Your folks faith was an example of love. Know as you grieve the lose of your dad he got the ‘W’. He was a good and faithful servant and is most deserving of this Hallelujah! ❤️
Our prayers and condolences to the Enna family. We will forever cherish all the fond memories of such a grand gentleman and fun-loving, best-story-telling friend, neighbor and coach with an unmatched sense of humor!
Bruce Kallmeyer
Rick and family,
Please know of our prayers for you during this time. This was a wonderful tribute to a great man. May God grant you peace during this time and welcome Dick home with great joy.
Love,
Ryan and Megan Johnson
Uncle Dick was a wonderful man! We enjoyed so many great memories, including breakfasts at Cascones in the River Market, and the trip we took to Sicily in 2008. Dick loved his 4 Roses bourbon (we consumed 2 bottles on the trip along with lots of red wine!). He and Mary Lou, my mom Jean Sweeney and my aunt Nancy Sweeney spent a week at a private villa in Sicily with Candi and me. One of the days, Candi & I sent them to the home of their grand parents (Franciso & Antonina Enna) in Montevago…we also visited Enna, Sicily looking for more Enna-family information.
Whoever wrote the tribute to Dick Enna did an awesome job capturing the hidden gem of a man that fought death again and again and won until his appointed time finally came.
My husband and I knew both Dick and Marylou as an attractive, personable and Well thought of couple in the inner circle of the Cure of Ars community and we slowly became spiritually closer friends.
So I can’t help but feel that ,God willing, Dicks father and family, along with my late husband Ed , were all there cheering him onward and upward . I can’t help but believe there are now two crowns awaiting both Dick and Marylou , his faithful & faith-filled wife, or “Louie” as he always lovingly called her.
I feel blessed to have known them, Loretta Boothe
The Randy Leavitt family is so sorry for your great loss. We remember visiting Dick and Mary Lou at their log cabin home in Divide, Colorado years ago when our kids were young. Dick was such a gifted, kind and fun man. Our prayers are with all of your family.
Jeremiah and all Hes home. He’s at peace. He’s completed the race He kept the faith. He grew the faith. My blessings to you all.
Paul Moran
Jeremiah,
So sorry to hear about your dad. He was such a nice man! Prayers of comfort for your mom and all of you during this sad time and may your many happy memories sustain you and bring you joy.
Love,
Lisa
Uncle Dick and Aunty Lou were my Godparents as well as aunt and uncle. I have not seen as much of them since we moved to Texas, but fondly remember Easter gatherings at their house after waiting for the Giant Easter Bunny at Grandma Leavitt’s the night before. My cousins will know whar I mean.
We had several great family reunions as adults in Divide, Colorado, Overlan Park, Kansas, and Edmond, Oklahoma. Too nad you’ll didn’t get down to Texas. You have an open invitation to my house in Montgomery.
Uncle Dick was a wonderful man, and I will miss him. I am praying for all of you.
A life well lived leaving a legacy in family and friends!
This is time for remembering…what your father did and said and all the times you spent with him. These memories are a precious legacy of your father, his strength and his love. Praying that God will comfort you and that memories will keep your father close. With Sympathy. Jorge Orozco & Family
Dick was such a witness and role model. Loved watching games with him and hearing his commentary on the game and on life. Praying for you all!! We know that he will be preparing our heavenly cabins for us and taking in the view. God Bless you all!!
What a beautiful tribute.- thank you for sharing him with us. We often reflect the gifts bestowed upon us from our parents- what a gift he has given to you and all of us. May God hold you in this time of need and bless you with glorious memories of time shared.
Much love to you all,
Ann Wilkinson and family
Rick and family,
I remember you father as a great man who carried himself with class, and he was a competitive handball player. I was glad to know he was surrounded by his loving family at the end. Cheers to a life well lived.
Thoughts and prayers to the Enna family from the family of the late Patty Donahue O’Laughlin. My mother grew up at 4111 Mercier Street, one of 12 kids. She had many stories of the Enna family and I grew up hearing the names of Dick, June and Jean. She kept in touch via phone calls with them and I remember being home in the later years when Dick came to visit and my mom, brother Mike and I went to eat at Harrahs with him. If I remember right he brought her an Irish CD his son had made. He was a wonderful, funny and interesting soul. God Bless.
Marguerita, Ken, and Mary Sherman send our love and prayers to Mary Lou and all of Dick’s wonderful family. He was a remarkable man and a gift to all who knew him. May God bring you comfort and peace!
My condolences to the Enna family. My family were neighbors of Dick, June and Jean growing up through the Guardian Angels and Rockhurst days. Dick and four of my brothers were quite a team and I am sure they have met up once again in joy – in the place Jesus Christ promised has been prepared for those who love Him. Dick will indeed be missed!
Cecelia Donahue Trompeter
Condolences to the Richard Enna family from the Benedictine College community. You are in our prayers and thoughts.