You may like to send this news about Mary Jo (Farrow) Hammontree to the network.  Many of her classmates have been wondering about the circumstances of her recent death on March 2 in K.C.  This morning I had a long phone conversation with the priest at St. Patrick's church in St. Joseph (Father Matthew) who has been close to her over the past several years, during which the people of that parish have been like a second family to her.  He attended her in her final illness.  Here is what he related:

 

In the fall of 1999 she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.  After a round of chemo that winter, the cancer was arrested for about a year, during which she was her usual cheerful self.  It's possible that she excused herself from our family reunion in June, 2000 because we would have noticed the effects of the radiation.  The cancer became active again in the fall of 2000 and spread into the abdomen.  The pain increased.  The second bout of chemo left her considerably weakened, and was less effective.  This past Jan. she was told that there was nothing further the doctors could do for her, and she began to make preparations for final arrangements.  She had to be admitted to St. Luke's shortly thereafter.  Just before she slipped into a coma on Feb. 28, she was given the last rites of the Church (Anointing of the Sick) and two friends who had worked with her at Mo. Public Service were with her constantly until the end.  She also had frequent visits from pastoral staff of her old parish in Independence, St. Mark's.  They said she went very peacefully, and was so eager to rejoin her husband, Lyle.  She had observed her 68th birthday on Feb. 11.

 

She and Lyle had been a devoted couple and were very much looking forward to retirement five years ago when he suddenly died.  This was a shattering experience for Mary Jo, but she emerged from it stronger and more devoted to serving others in the Independence and St. Joe areas (including the nuns who used to teach at the school in Lexington).  She had lost her sister Ann (Zeller) a few years earlier, and probably made no further trips to Lexington after that.  The last immediate relative, her brother Shelby, died a couple of years ago.

 

Father Matthew described the beautiful wake service and funeral Mass, which was attended by about 30 friends from the parish and MPS.  Several tried to put into words what she had meant to them.  Her sister-in-law, Delois (Dorores?), was present and later met with the attorney Mary Jo had engaged for disposing of the house on Dodgian street in Indep. (now up for sale) and its contents.  She had requested that all the family memorabilia be destroyed, but Delois prevailed upon the attorney to allow her to keep precious photos, etc.  The two women who were with her at the end were also given items from the home as keepsakes.

 

Father Matthew said that he was indebted to Mary Jo for her strong example of quiet acceptance of the Lord's will for her.  He advised us all to learn, too, how important it is to enjoy life as it comes, spend time with our loved ones, and "not wait for retirement," which may not be up to our expectations.

 

If any of you can get up to St. Joe to meet and personally thank Father Matthew for having been such a devoted friend and substitute family, I would much appreciate it.  St. Patrick's is at 1723 S. 12th St. (64503).  The phone is (816) 279-2594.

 

 

And one more note: Sadly, I must report that Bobby Pollard died over the weekend. I'm sure more information will be forthcoming.

 

And that's it for this edition, for this edition, for this edition, for this edition....

 

Your Pitiful Scribe