Margaret L. Ewing

Margaret L. Ewing (ne Margaret Fesler), aged 97, passed away peacefully at St. Joseph Place care center in Overland Park, KS, on Friday, August 27.
Margaret is survived by her childrenC. Craig Ewing, Cynthia Ewing (David), Kent Ewing (Mary) and Bart Ewing (Ginny)and her grandchildren (Eric, Ryan, Scott, Jacqueline, Ian, Hannah and Alex) and her great grandchildren (Walter, Ivy and Shine).
A 10 AM Mass of Resurrection and Celebration of Life will take place on December 28, 2021 at Saint Thomas More Church, 11822 Holmes Rd., Kansas City, MO, allowing her family time to return.
Burial will take place at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, 7601 Blue Ridge Blvd., Kansas City, MO.
Three additional masses will also be held for Margaret at St. Thomas More: the first on November 16 of this year at 8:15 a.m.; the second on June 7 (her birthdate) of 2022, also at 8:15 a.m.; and the last, marking a year since her passing, on August 27 of 2022 at 4 p.m.
Margaret was born June 7, 1924, in Winfield, KS, to Charles Everett and Vianna Mae Fesler. The family moved to Sedan, KS, when Margaret was nine months old. Margaret graduated from high school in Sedan in 1942 as the valedictorian of her class.
She was a cheerleader and a flutist in the school band and orchestra as well as a member of the Forensics Club and the sports editor for the school newspaper.
In addition, she was a well known tap dancer who performed at fairs and lodges in and around Sedan and as an entracte for vaudeville shows.
In 1945, Margaret earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business from the University of Kansas and was initiated into the Womens Honorary Business Fraternity, Phi Chi Theta.
While at KU, Margaret pledged and served as secretary to the Alpha Chi Omega Sorority. She was also the First Flute in the KU Band and took part in a variety of intramural sports for her sorority.
She was a lifetime KU Alumni Jay Hawker.
After graduating from KU, Margaret served as private secretary to C.S. Stevenson, vice president of Hallmark Cards, who coined the phrase "You cared enough to send the very best."
Margaret retired from that position in 1947 to marry Roger L. Ewing of Lawrence, KS. The couple lived in Lawrence while Roger completed his degree in accounting at KU, during which time Margaret worked as a private secretary at the universitys School of Business.
In 1950, the couple moved to Kansas City, MO, and Margaret became a full-time mother and homemaker. She was also what she termed a "professional volunteer" who served as PTA president, Room Mother, Cub Scout Den Mother and Campfire Girls Leader, among other roles and positions.
Margaret became an accomplished tole painter, donating her work to church and sorority bazaars and also making gifts of her paintings to friends. She joined the Kansas City Young Matrons and for 30 years remained active as an actor and director in their Childrens Theatre program. In 1977, in recognition of her long service, she was named one of only 10 honorary members of that program.
Margaret was also a member of the Saddle and Sirloin Club and served as the clubs entertainment chairman, helping to organize the crowning of the American Royal Queen as well as the Royal BBQ contest.
Margaret took up duplicate bridge in the 1960s while recovering from a broken hip and was still playing until 2014, when macular degeneration forced her to give it up. She served as president of the American Contract Bridge Unit 131 and, in 1978, reached the level of Ruby Master. Combining her talents and interests, she directed many musical revues for regional and national bridge tournaments held in Kansas City and took on the challenge of Hospitality Chairwoman for the 1976 tournament.
As a volunteer, Margaret worked for 20 years on the Information Desk at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. In addition, she was the first female president of the Parish Council for All Saints Episcopal Church, while also serving a Eucharistic Minister and leader of Bible study groups.
In 1982, Margaret converted to Roman Catholicism and became a parishioner at St. Thomas More Church, contributing her time, energy and talents to the churchs Parish Council. She also sat on its Arts and Environment Committee and served as Eucharistic Minister as well as chairwoman of the churchs funeral lunches on the fourth day of each month.
As a member of Ladies of Charity, Margaret worked in Seton Centers food pantry and thrift shop.
Margaret was also well known as a gourmet cook who enjoyed entertaining for her childrens birthdays and other celebrations and for her love of travel. Over her lifetime, she visited every continent except Antartica.
Margaret did her best to live her life and use her talents in keeping with the book of Matthew 25: 14-16:
14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Seton Center, or the charity of your choice.
. Mass of Christian Burial St. Thomas More Church

Tuesday, December 28, 2021

10:00 AM

11822 Holmes RoadKansas City, MO 64131
Directions