Mary Katherine Fogarty

The world has lost one of the good ones. Our family has lost our mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. The saints in heaven gained one of their own upon the death of Mary K. Fogarty, 85, on May 4th, 2018.
Were not making this up: she was a saintto her family and to those who knew and loved her. Her saintliness had a no-nonsense side too. Her favorite phrase, upon learning of a bad idea or decision by somebody in power, for example a politician or a religious leader, was, "Well, nobody asked me." No, they didntbut they should have. She was usually right.
Born Mary Katherine Ottenstein in Mitchell, South Dakota, in 1932, by the late 1930s her parents, Paul and Ann, settled their family permanently in Kansas City, Missouri. The family were members of St. Peters Parish in Brookside. Mary and her two siblings all attended St. Peters Elementary School and Bishop Hogan High School.
While still in high school, Mary met Bill Fogarty, and, after graduation from St. Theresas College (now Avila) in 1954, they married. Mary taught elementary school for a few years, then set about having children and raising a family, first in Prairie Village and later in Leawood.
Mary had a very strong Catholic faith. She and Bill were founding members of Cur of Ars Parish in 1959. They sent all five of their children to Cur and Bishop Miege or Rockhurst. There were countless paper drives, sports, recitals, PTA activities and more. She helped organize and operate the parish garage sale for several years, and served as sacristan.
She put her faith into action fighting discrimination and prejudice as a member of the Catholic Interracial Council, the Fair Housing Council and the Panel of American Women. Her example was a strong lesson for her children and friends.
Her faith was also tested in ways small and large. Small, when one of her five children did something really dumb (sometimes it was epidemic). Large, when she was diagnosed with Leukemia in the early 1980s, then beat it, and later suffered from the debilitating pain of arthritis and fibromyalgia. She never complained, and her faith never wavered.
Professionally, she returned to work in the mid-1970s, first as a paralegal and later as a program administrator for Meals on Wheels and Camp Fire.
She is survived by her siblings, Barbara Kennedy and Robert Ottenstein; her children, Barbara Mathews (Jim), Thomas, Marian (Marc), Joseph and Robert (Cheryl); her grandchildren, Robert, April, David, John, Sean, Lauren, Liem, Corinne, Duncan and Gigi; and her great-grandchildren, Victor and Ian, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Loving mother, grandmother and wife. Warm friend, counselor, confessor, conversationalist. Woman of deep faith. Civil Rights activist, archeology aficionado, voracious reader. Possessing a wicked sense of humor and a generous heart. We shall miss her smile, her laughter, her wisdom and her courage.
Memorial Service: Saturday, June 16, 2018, Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 11300 W 103rd Street, Overland Park, Kansas Visitation 9:30am-10:30am, Funeral Mass 10:30 Reception and luncheon follows in the parish hall. Donations: Your generous donation to Catholic Community Hospice/ Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas catholiccharitiesks.org/hospice/ - is appreciated.
Visitation Holy Spirit Catholic Church

Saturday, June 16, 2018

9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

11300 W 103rd StOverland Park, KS 66214
Directions Memorial Mass Holy Spirit Catholic Church

Saturday, June 16, 2018

10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

11300 W 103rd StOverland Park, KS 66214

Reception and Luncheon follows in parish hall.
Directions