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1925 Virginia 2022

Virginia M. O'Donnell

August 3, 1925 — March 23, 2022

The live stream will begin when the service starts around 10:00 am CST on Wednesday, April 6, 2022 at the following link: https://www.facebook.com/MuehlebachFuneralCare
Virginia "Jin" (Franke) ODonnell, 96, died peacefully on March 23, 2022 at the home of her son Jim and daughter-in-law, Teresa. She was born on August 3, 1925, to John and Rose Franke in Kansas City, MO., where she lived all of her life.
Jin is survived by four childrenKathleen Reese, Jim (Teresa), Mary Ann Spidle (Bruce), and Ginny Hill, 15 grandchildrenJennifer Jones, Kristen Reese, and Katie Williams; Matt, Becky, Andy, Gary ODonnell and Jackie Cruse; Brian, Jason, David, Stephen Spidle and DeNise DeBelius; Laura Schweisberger and Chris Hill; and 21 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by Jerry ODonnell, her husband of 42 years, son Michael, and son-in-law, Mike Reese.
In school, Jin was a member of the National Honor Society and received a 3 year merit scholarship to St. Teresa Academy. After marriage, she was a parishioner of Christ the King Church for over 30 years, St. Thomas More for over 30 years, and the last 5 she was a parishioner of Coronation of Our Lady. She was a volunteer at Seton Center and St. Joseph Hospital and belonged to the Legion of Mary. She was a member of Ladies of Charity for 50 years, sewing for the greater part of every year for the upcoming annual Ladies of Charity Christmas Bazaar.
As a young girl, Jin loved to read books and sew doll clothes, both of which became lifelong passions. As a constant visitor to the Red Bridge Library, she spoke once about having a hard time finding new books to read! She loved jigsaw puzzles, crosswords and sudoku, constantly challenging herself.
She met her husband, Jerry, while in high school when groups of Rockhurst boys and St. Teresa girls would gather in each others basements to dance and socialize. After he returned from the War, they married in 1948. Jerry became a home builder out of desperation, since there were very few apartments to rent following the war. The first home he built for the family was a tiny 2 bedroom home, which was fine until the fourth baby was on the way. He built their last home at 99th & Campbell, out in the country at the time. It was a 3 bedroom home, which even included a basement, family room, and 2 car garage! Jin never liked dogs, but she always got to live with them, because her husband and children did!
Jin didnt believe in naps, was always in motion with some project or activity until dementia began to slow her down. Even when shed lost most of her words, she could always remember to say with a smile that she was "good to go," whether it be to bed, shower, meals, TV, the car, or her puzzles. Near the end, she would always answer "Yes" to whatever was asked, not because she knew the answer, but because she kept her sweet and agreeable disposition to the end. She was strong in her Catholic faith, taught all of her children well, and never forgot where she was headed. Well see you there, mom!
A visitation will be held April 5, 5:30-7:00 PM, followed by the rosary. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held April 6, 10:00 AM, followed by Graveside prayers at Calvary Cemetery, 6901 Troost, KCMO. A luncheon will follow back at the church. The visitation and Mass will be held at Coronation of Our Lady, 13000 Bennington, Grandview, MO.
In lieu of flowers, Jin would have loved donations to: Seton Center, 2816 E. 23rd St., Kansas City, Mo. 64127
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Visitation
Tuesday, April 05, 2022
5:30 PM - 7:00 PM

Coronation of Our Lady Church 13000 Bennington AveGrandview, Missouri 64030

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Rosary
Tuesday, April 05, 2022
7:00 PM

Coronation of Our Lady Church 13000 Bennington AveGrandview, Missouri 64030

Directions
Mass of Christian Burial
Wednesday, April 06, 2022
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Coronation of Our Lady Church 13000 Bennington AveGrandview, Missouri 64030

Directions
Burial
Wednesday, April 06, 2022
11:15 AM

Calvary Cemetery 6901 Troost AveKansas City, Missouri 64131

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