Glenda-Jo Self passed away peacefully at home among family members in the early hours of September 25, 2021. She is very fondly remembered by those whose lives she touched as a compassionate, caring and inspiring woman.
She was born the only child of pharmacist Glen Smith and schoolteacher Josephine Smith in Springfield, Missouri. It was during her adolescence in Springfield that Glenda-Jo met Harry Self, to whom she would go on to be married for the rest of her remarkable life.
Always a voracious reader and expert wordsmith, she studied journalism at the University of Missouri-Columbia, where she pledged Alpha Delta Pi (of which she remained an active adult member for a number of years). Harry and Glenda-Jo then wed and moved to Kansas City in 1966.
The determined young professional embarked on a lengthy and successful tenure with The Kansas City Star, initially writing for the paper's Home Section and later penning its long-running weekly Gardening column after the family grew to include a son and daughter. Subsequent employers in Glenda-Jo's accomplished and varied career included the Presbyterian Synod of Mid-America, whose regional newspaper she wrote and edited.
In addition to being a devoted Presbyterian, throughout her 78 years she participated passionately in a variety of social, cultural and philanthropic organizations. They include the P.E.O. Sisterhood, with which she stayed active primarily in Chapter FQ for some 50 years. In the later days of her well-earned retirement, Glenda-Jo generously gave time to the Johnson County Library and worked with the Migrant Farmworkers Assistance Fund.
The lifelong lover of books and cats (as well as books about cats) is survived by her grateful and proud husband of 55 years Harry, daughter Teresa and son Henry. A memorial service and Service of Witness to the Resurrection will be held for family only at Village Presbyterian Church on Antioch. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in honor of Glenda-Jo to the Migrant Farmworkers Assistance Fund or Village Presbyterian Church.
She was born the only child of pharmacist Glen Smith and schoolteacher Josephine Smith in Springfield, Missouri. It was during her adolescence in Springfield that Glenda-Jo met Harry Self, to whom she would go on to be married for the rest of her remarkable life.
Always a voracious reader and expert wordsmith, she studied journalism at the University of Missouri-Columbia, where she pledged Alpha Delta Pi (of which she remained an active adult member for a number of years). Harry and Glenda-Jo then wed and moved to Kansas City in 1966.
The determined young professional embarked on a lengthy and successful tenure with The Kansas City Star, initially writing for the paper's Home Section and later penning its long-running weekly Gardening column after the family grew to include a son and daughter. Subsequent employers in Glenda-Jo's accomplished and varied career included the Presbyterian Synod of Mid-America, whose regional newspaper she wrote and edited.
In addition to being a devoted Presbyterian, throughout her 78 years she participated passionately in a variety of social, cultural and philanthropic organizations. They include the P.E.O. Sisterhood, with which she stayed active primarily in Chapter FQ for some 50 years. In the later days of her well-earned retirement, Glenda-Jo generously gave time to the Johnson County Library and worked with the Migrant Farmworkers Assistance Fund.
The lifelong lover of books and cats (as well as books about cats) is survived by her grateful and proud husband of 55 years Harry, daughter Teresa and son Henry. A memorial service and Service of Witness to the Resurrection will be held for family only at Village Presbyterian Church on Antioch. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in honor of Glenda-Jo to the Migrant Farmworkers Assistance Fund or Village Presbyterian Church.
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