Lenore B. Kensett

Lenore B. Kensett, 89, died Thursday, June 9, 2016 at The Atriums, Oveland Park, Kansas, where she had lived since 2010. Formerly a long time resident of Chanute, Kansas, Lenore was born November 20, 1926 in St. Joseph, Missouri to Richard Barclay Brownlee and Mary Bailey Brownlee. She attended country schools through ninth grade, then attended three different high schools, one year each, in St. Joseph, Dallas, and Fort Worth, Texas. She claimed that this forced her to make new friends, a skill she continued to perfect throughout her life. College years were spent at Park College and the University of Kansas, where she graduated with a degree in Business Administration. Her future husband was her college roommates brother. They married in 1947 and Lenore stayed at home until the youngest of their four children were in high school. She then became the business manager for her husbands optometric practice, retiring in 1994. Lenore (also known as Lee) was active in church and choir at the First Presbyterian Church, St. Cecelias Music Club Choir, Shakespeare Club , Art & Lit Club, Library Board, and was very proud of serving as Campaign Director for the Depot Restoration Project in Chanute. She was an avid gardener. Genealogy became a focus during her later years. Lenore served two terms as president of the Kansas Council of Genealogical Societies, and made numerous trips to trace her family heritage both abroad and in the U.S. Lenore earned her private pilot license in 1959 and flew in the Bicentenial Powder Puff Derby, the final coast to coast speed race in 1976. She held a lifetime membership in Ninety Nines, an internatiuonal organization of women pilots. Flying and sailing were two loves that she shared with her husband, providing much joy and adventure in their lives. Survivors include her brother, J. Maurice Brownlee, Overland Park, Kansas, and a sister Evelyn Malott, Colorado Springs, Colorado; one son, James W. Kensett, III, Las Vegas, Nevada; three daughters, Susan K. McGaughey and husband Rich, Roeland Park, Kansas; Marilyn K. Crawford and husband David, Shawnee, Kansas; and Carolyn J. Kensett, Chanute, Kansas; six grandchildren: Leslie Crawford, Ryan McGaughey, Sarah Crawford Punzenburger, Sean McGaughey, Peter McGaughey, and Gwen McGaughey Hoefer; eleven great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, and friends. Besides her parents, Lenore was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. James W. Kensett, Jr., one brother and two sisters. A luncheon celebrating her life will be held at the First Presbyterian Church, Chanute, Kansas, on Wednesday, June 29, 2016 at 12:30 pm. Memorial Service will be delayed until July 9th, at Muehlebachs Funeral Home, 6800 Troost, Kansas City, Missouri. Special thanks to her caregivers over the past year, including Grace Hospice, ComforCare and the staff at The Atriums, where she happily spent her last years. Contributions in her honor may be made to Grace Hospice, Kansas City, Missouri, or to the charity of your choice. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.muehlebachchapel.com


SERVICES Visitation
Saturday, July 9, 2016 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Muehlebach Funeral Home 6800 Troost Avenue Kansas City, Missouri
Memorial Service
Saturday, July 9, 2016 10:00 AM
Muehlebach Funeral Home 6800 Troost Avenue Kansas City, Missouri