Mary Ann Henke

Mary Anne (Sullivan) Henke, 86, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 15, 2014 at her home. Mary Anne grew up in an Irish Catholic household on Southwest Trafficway. She loved to tell the story of how as a little girl, she never knew who would be sleeping on their couch as her childhood home was a welcoming place for Irish folks immigrating to the U.S.

Mary Anne grew up in Redemptorist Parish and attended both grade school and high school there. She went on to St. Mary University in Leavenworth for two years and then returned to Kansas City to earn her degree from the Kansas City Art Institute.

She was an accomplished artist and taught painting classes for years at The Cambridge House at 79th and State Line. She loved oil painting, decoupage, wood carving, pastels, sewing, you name it. She could tackle any craft and enjoyed every minute of it. She volunteered tirelessly at Cure of Ars Grade School and Church, Rockhurst High School, Notre Dame de Sion, Loretto High School and Ladies of Charity. Mary Anne loved to exercise and was doing yoga before it became the "in" sport. She loved to shop and brightened the world with her fun clothes, purses and shoes. Mary Ann?s greatest pride and joy was the life she built with her beloved husband, John Homer. They fell in love and were married in 1951. Together they had four children: Laura Mitchell (John), Mark Henke (Abby), Steve Henke (Nancy) and Susan Miller (Steve). She is survived by eleven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Laura Diviney Sullivan and her brothers, John Jr. and Patrick. Typical of her selflessness, Mary Anne donated her body to K.U. Medical Center for Diabetic Research. Visitation and funeral will be held Wednesday morning, November 19th at Cure of Ars Church, 9401 Mission Rd, Leawood, KS. The visitation will be from 9:30am-10:30am followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30am. Memorial contributions may be made to Cure of Ars Church.