Gayle Ann McFarlane

Gayle Ann McFarlane passed away peacefully on October 3, 2026, in Kansas City, Missouri. She was born on January 5, 1941, in Independence, Missouri. She will be remembered for her caring spirit, her creativity, and the many ways she expressed love through the work of her crafts.

Gayle graduated from William Chrisman High School in 1958. After high school, she received her cosmetology license in 1960. Her working life reflected both dedication and a willingness to embrace change as she started down a few different paths throughout her working career. She worked in the pharmacy at the old Independence Sanitarium until 1975. After leaving the Independence Sanitarium, she began working at Freids Pharmacy until 1982. Following several years in pharmacy work, she chose a new direction and joined the Kansas City School District in the cafeteria at Nowlin Junior High School in Independence, Missouri. She later moved on to Lincoln Prep, where she was promoted to Cafeteria Manager. She retired in 1999, closing a career marked by steady service and commitment.

Outside of work, Gayle’s real passion was art, crafting, and puzzles. She showed her affection by making things for others to enjoy, and her generosity was reflected in the countless creations she shared. Her artwork included paintings of birds, seashells, and landscapes, and she also enjoyed cross stitching. She would have made a fine art teacher. She loved watching game shows and found special joy in bird watching, especially hummingbirds, wrens, and finches. In all of these interests, those who knew her could see both her imagination and gentle and caring nature.

Gayle is survived by her son, William “Bill” Allan McFarlane; her nieces, Judith Klink and Tina Stewart; and her nephews, Steve Stewart and Scott Stewart. She was preceded in death by her father, Wilfred Lane; her mother, Velma Lane; her sister, Mary Stewart; and Rosabeth Huffman, her sister in Christ. May the memory of Gayle’s kindness, creativity, and caring heart continue to bring comfort to those who loved her.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the caregivers of Kingswood Senior Living, St. Luke’s Hospital, and St. Luke’s Hospice House for the excellent and compassionate care they provided in her final years and days. They also offer special thanks to the Emergency Room staff, the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit staff, the MST ICU staff, and the Pulmonary Department staff at St. Luke’s for their amazing care and for helping extend her life.

A Visitation will be held on October 15, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. at Kingswood Senior Living Community, 10000 Wornall Rd., Kansas City, Missouri 64114, followed by a Celebration of Life from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the same location. A burial will take place after the services at Memorial Park Cemetery & Green Lawn Cemetery, 8251 Hillcrest Rd., Kansas City, Missouri 64138.