Jane Winifred Waring Nesselrode passed away July 5, 2014, in Lawrence, Kansas. Born in Kansas City, Kansas, to Maude and Clarence Waring in 1919, she was one of the few women to become a champion golfer and diver and to graduate from the School of Architectural Engineering at KU in 1940. She married (and later divorced) Frederick McCoy, M.D. and became a loving mother of five children.
She was an active volunteer in Kansas City for the March of Dimes, the Nelson Art Gallery, the Della C. Lamb Center, St. Mary’s Hospital, St. Andrew’s Church, and many others. She was on the Board of the Red Cross, President of Kappa Kappa Gamma Alums, Chairwoman of the Philharmonic Education Program and President of the Women’s Philharmonic. She taught children’s programs prior to their attending concerts, so that they would understand more about what they were experiencing. For decades she also volunteered at the St. Lukes Hospital gift shop, delivered books to patients, and helped knit caps for newborns.
She was married to George Nesselrode from 1972 until his death in 1981. She was an accomplished pianist who could bring her listeners to tears and/or laughter, depending on the music. She played for small children at the Jewish Community Center in KC as they danced and marched around her piano. She led many a sing-along with her piano and was entertaining the residents at Brandon Woods until recently..
She made friends wherever she went and accepted the changes of age with incredible grace. She loved to make people smile, and her wit was unstoppable. She had a comeback for just about any remark. She spent many days in hospitals in her final years, and invariably nurses and aides would tell us that our mother made their day with her cheerful attitude and witty remarks in spite of the many challenges she faced.
She will be dearly missed by her five children and spouses: Judy and Michael Carman, Rick and Nancy McCoy, Anna McCoy, Melissa McCoy, Steve McCoy; three step-daughters: Ellen Jasa, Georgia Nesselrode, and Jean Anne Nesselrode; nine grandchildren and their spouses; 19 great grandchildren, countless dear friends, and her beloved cat—Miss Kitty.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that the best way to honor our mother would be a donation to the Brandon Woods Employee Recognition Fund at 1501 Inverness Drive, Lawrence, KS, 66047. Service will be held at 1:30 pm on Friday, July 11, at Trinity Episcopal Church, 1011 Vermont, Lawrence, KS. Following the service everyone is invited to attend a Celebration of Jane’s Life at the Brandon Woods Smith Center, 4723 Brandon Woods Terrace, at 3pm.
