In Memory Of
Marjorie Mcelhenny
1921
2015
Marjorie Mcelhenny
July 21, 1921 — October 6, 2015
Marjorie Alexander McElhenny, born May 7, 1921 to Dr. Homer and M. Helen Alexander died Tuesday, October 6, 2015. She was married to William B. McElhenny (d 09/01/1976), a Topeka attorney. Her sister and brother in law, Mary (Alexander) and Wayne Whelan and nephew, Ward Whelan, also predeceased her. She leaves children, Ann McElhenny, Sara McElhenny and Byron McElhenny; a niece, Janice (Whelan) Good ; great nephews, Dr. Mat Good (Bethany) and family, Jeff Whelan and Todd Whelan (Leigh) ; and cousin by marriage, Nikki (Ballard) Rosengren (Paul).
Marge graduated from Topeka High School. She then attended Washburn University in Topeka, where she was a Kappa Alpha Theta and received a bachelor's degree in education. She was elected to Nonoso the highest honor bestowed on females at that time for qualities of character, leadership and scholarship. She was recently awarded her 75 year pin from the Thetas and was honored for her 75th anniversary of graduating from Washburn.
Before her marriage she was employed by the Santa Fe, later working for the Menninger Foundation where she returned after the children were older. She worked for the Menninger Foundation as a secretary for over 25 years, and thoroughly enjoyed her work. After her retirement at about age 75 (when Menninger moved to Texas), she frequently commented that she would have enjoyed working longer.
She was active in Topeka as a member of the Junior League, Junior Social Service, and the Kappa Alpha Theta alumni advisory board. She lived in Topeka for 91 years and moved to Lenexa, KS (with some protest) to be closer to her daughters. She loved Topeka and missed it very much.
Marge joined the Kansas City Ski Club while still in Topeka. Though she never skied a day in her life, she enjoyed traveling with the Club (and her daughters) to destinations such as New Zealand, Australia, Andorra, France, Italy, Switzerland, Norway, Spain, Alaska and Canada. She was a member of the Club at the time of her passing, always asking, "is there a trip we want to go on this year?" She especially remembered the "boys" in the Club who "adopted" her on her first trip to New Zealand.
She was a life-long avid reader. Memorial contributions may be given to the Topeka & Shawnee Co. Public Library, 1515 SW 10th, Topeka, KS 66604 or the Sherwood Center for persons with Autism, 7938 Chestnut Ave, Kansas City, MO 64132.
The family will receive friends at the Mount Hope Funeral Chapel, 4700 SW 17th, Topeka, from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. on Monday, October 12, 2015 with Graveside services at 2:00 p.m. in Mount Hope Cemetery.
There will also be a Memorial Service at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 13, 2015 in the Heritage Building at Lakeview Village, 9100 Park Street, Lenexa, KS 66215.
Penwell-Gabel Southwest Chapel is assisting with arrangements. To leave a special message for the family online, visit the guestbook below.
Marge graduated from Topeka High School. She then attended Washburn University in Topeka, where she was a Kappa Alpha Theta and received a bachelor's degree in education. She was elected to Nonoso the highest honor bestowed on females at that time for qualities of character, leadership and scholarship. She was recently awarded her 75 year pin from the Thetas and was honored for her 75th anniversary of graduating from Washburn.
Before her marriage she was employed by the Santa Fe, later working for the Menninger Foundation where she returned after the children were older. She worked for the Menninger Foundation as a secretary for over 25 years, and thoroughly enjoyed her work. After her retirement at about age 75 (when Menninger moved to Texas), she frequently commented that she would have enjoyed working longer.
She was active in Topeka as a member of the Junior League, Junior Social Service, and the Kappa Alpha Theta alumni advisory board. She lived in Topeka for 91 years and moved to Lenexa, KS (with some protest) to be closer to her daughters. She loved Topeka and missed it very much.
Marge joined the Kansas City Ski Club while still in Topeka. Though she never skied a day in her life, she enjoyed traveling with the Club (and her daughters) to destinations such as New Zealand, Australia, Andorra, France, Italy, Switzerland, Norway, Spain, Alaska and Canada. She was a member of the Club at the time of her passing, always asking, "is there a trip we want to go on this year?" She especially remembered the "boys" in the Club who "adopted" her on her first trip to New Zealand.
She was a life-long avid reader. Memorial contributions may be given to the Topeka & Shawnee Co. Public Library, 1515 SW 10th, Topeka, KS 66604 or the Sherwood Center for persons with Autism, 7938 Chestnut Ave, Kansas City, MO 64132.
The family will receive friends at the Mount Hope Funeral Chapel, 4700 SW 17th, Topeka, from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. on Monday, October 12, 2015 with Graveside services at 2:00 p.m. in Mount Hope Cemetery.
There will also be a Memorial Service at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 13, 2015 in the Heritage Building at Lakeview Village, 9100 Park Street, Lenexa, KS 66215.
Penwell-Gabel Southwest Chapel is assisting with arrangements. To leave a special message for the family online, visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Marjorie Mcelhenny, please visit our flower store.
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