The Excelsior Standard, Aug. 23, 2024

Mary Jean Booth, 88, passed away Aug. 10, 2024.

Mary “Jean” was born Oct. 18, 1935, in Rockingham. She was one of five children born to Irl and Ruth Nicholson.

Jean graduated as salutatorian from Stet High School, where she was a star basketball player on the girls team and sang in several groups, including a women’s quartet.

Jean Booth

Upon high school graduation, she attended Kansas State University with her sights on becoming a dietitian. But after her sophomore year of college, on a blind date, she met the love of her life, Harry Booth. They married on June 8, 1957; and to this marriage, they were blessed with two children.

Jean held various job roles during her long career at Owens Corning Fiberglass, where she retired as a traffic specialist.

In her spare time, she and Harry loved dancing to big band music, traveling all across the world and spending summers with family at their lake house, as well as wintering in southern Texas for 20 years. Jean also was known for her exquisite baked goods, especially her fresh-baked pies. Later in life, the couple moved to their farmhouse in Stet, where they took great pride in tending to their garden and canning.

Jean was a devout Christian and a proud member of Barry Christian Church, where she was a longstanding member of the choir.

She was preceded in death by her parents; siblings, Eula, Ralph, Glen and Ivan; and husband, Harry Booth.

She will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by her children, Ellen (Gary) Walbridge and Dan (Lesle) Booth; grandchildren, Daniel (Deb) Booth, Brett (Hilary) Walbridge, Derick (Cheyanne) Booth and Kevin (Audi) Walbridge; and great-grandchildren, Grace, Will, Connor, Avelynn and Faith, with one-on-the-way.

A celebration of life was held Saturday, Aug. 17, at Barry Christian Church, with visitation beginning at 10 a.m., the funeral services beginning at 11 and the burial held at 3 p.m. at Richmond Memory Gardens in Richmond.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Barry Christian Church; 1500 N.W. Barry Road; Kansas City, MO 64155.