Mary Jean Cornish

Mary Jean (Jeannie) Cornish, 82, of Kansas City, KS passed away peacefully September 2nd, 2025, surrounded by loved ones. Visitation will be from 9:30-10:15am followed by the rosary, and then a funeral Mass to begin at 10:30am at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 1086 N. 94th St, Kansas City, KS 66112. Memorial contributions in her honor may be made to: St. Patrick’s Catholic Church or City Union Mission.

Jeannie was the only child of Anthony and Marie Zugecic, of Croatian and Slovak descent. She was raised on Strawberry Hill in KCK and attended St. Cyril’s grade school, Loretto Academy High School and is a graduate of Avila College with a bachelor’s degree in Education. She taught elementary school in the USD 500 KCKS school district until she met Larry Cornish, her husband of 58 years on a blind date. They were blessed with three children, Katie, Mark and Karen. From the moment she became a mother, Jeannie was fiercely devoted to the care of her family and upbringing of her children. She returned to the workforce when her children were in school full time, first at Tetra Tech Environmental Firm and then Raytheon Lockheed Martin, from where she retired in 2008 as a program analyst. She participated on Holy Family Grade School’s school board, as well as the Archdiocesan School Board. She also served on the Altar Societies of both Holy Family and St. Patrick’s parishes. Jeannie was passionate about education, her Catholic faith, and her family- these were things she prioritized her entire life. She was an intelligent and incredibly strong woman. She endured some hardships and serious illnesses over the course of her lifetime, but none of them could ever diminish her will or her spirit. She was loved and admired by many, and will be greatly missed.

Jeannie was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved aunt, Josephine Brooks, her dear (and fun) sisters-in law, Rita Bock and Loretta Hentzen as well as other beloved family and friends on both sides of her family. She is survived by her husband, Larry; three children, Katie Spell (PJ), Mark Cornish and Karen Guile (Andy); her six grandchildren, Ashley, Danny, Sarah, Oriyana, Julia, and Silas; her sister and brother-in-law, Phyllis and John Cornish; brothers in law, James (Droop) and Don Cornish; and many wonderful cousins, nieces and nephews.