Mary Frances Healy

Mary Frances Healy of Kansas City, Missouri passed away peacefully on October 28, 2025. She was 84 years old. Mary was a life-long Kansas Citian. Born to George and Bertha (Hoedl) Hiller, she grew up surrounded by family: her grandparents who lived in the house next door; her many aunts, uncles, and cousins; and her two brothers. Mary attended Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic grade school, and then she attended Lillis High School where she graduated as Valedictorian in 1958. Mary worked at Catholic Charities after high school until she started a family with her husband, Jim, whom she married in 1961. Mary was a devoted wife and mother. When she had seen all of her children successfully complete school and enter their next chapters, she started her next chapter as a Counselling Psychologist by completing a Bachelor’s degree and then a Master’s degree in Psychology at Avila College.

Mary was a quiet strength to all of the people that she touched along her life journey. She was the loving companion and strong supporter of her husband of 63 years. She was the ever-present guide and voice of wisdom to her 5 children and 16 grandchildren. She made life-long friendships and considered these friends a part of her family. Mary was an attentive listener when needed and a force to be reckoned with when that was required. By her life and her choices, Mary taught her next generation what family means.

Mary devoted her life to service. She was a CCD teacher for many years. She acted as Eighth Grade Sponsor at Nativity school in Independence where she facilitated many “Grow Days” with various 8th grade classes. She worked with young couples as a Pre-Cana counsellor at several churches in the Kansas City area. Mary traveled with her church to mission trips in Cuauhtemoc, Mexico where they taught bible school to children in a church started by Franciscan Missionaries.

Mary loved to travel. She traveled with Jim on several work-related trips. She and Jim took their children and her mother, Bertha, on family vacations every year. Mary and Jim continued the family vacation tradition with their grandchildren by taking them on many trips around the US. Mary loved to visit Las Vegas with Jim, and they included their children and later some of the grandchildren in the fun as they reached their 21st birthdays. On their own, Mary and Jim travelled to many places around the world including several trips to the Holy Land.

Mary is preceded in death by her husband, Jim; her parents; and her brother John. Mary is survived by her son Timothy; and daughters Teresa (Pat), Susan (Tod), Cathleen (Nick), and Jennifer (Paul). Mary was also proud grandmother to Hilary (Drew), Dominic, Britney (Arinze), Amanda, Anthony, Ethan (Kelsie), Noah, Benjamin, Meghan, George, Mark (Kate), Heidi, John, Katie, Neal (Roxana), and Steve; and great-grandmother to Isabelle, Elena, and Juliette (arriving next spring).

A visitation will be held on Thursday, November 6 at Muehlebach Chapel from 4:30 to 7:00 pm. A Rosary will be prayed at 4:30 pm. The funeral mass will be on Friday, November 7 at 10:00 am at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church.