Joan Margaret Muir

Joan Margaret Cusack Muir, 79, of Overland Park passed away Tuesday, January 24th 2023.

A visitation will be held from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m., Friday, January 27, 2023 at the Amos Family Funeral Home, followed by a funeral service at 4:00 p.m. For those unable to attend Joan's service in person, please CLICK HERE to watch the livestream. Joan will be laid to rest at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery at a later date.

Joan was born November 28, 1943 in Narromine, New South Wales, Australia. Joan was the third of six children born to Peter and Adele Cusack.  As a young child, her family moved to the farm Highlow outside Narrabri. Her connection to nature started early, and her passion for gardening continued on the other side of the world. Joan left home for boarding school at Saint Mary’s College in Gunnedah, and she achieved her leaving certificate.

After graduation, Joan moved to Sydney, where she made history as Australia’s first female tax assessor. In 1965, she married Robert Muir. Over the next six years, they welcomed sons Patrick, Andrew, Christopher and Timothy. In 1978 when Robert was offered a short-term position in the United States in Kansas City, Joan urged him to take the opportunity for an adventure for the family. They moved to Lenexa, Kansas in November 1978 and found themselves in the coldest winter on record for the region. The family quickly adopted many American ways but she kept the Australian spirit alive with Christmas crackers, lamingtons and plenty of slices.  Joan held a number of positions over the years. She ran the family tennis academy, and she was successful in jewelry sales, tax preparation and insurance. She eventually retired from Oliver Insurance Agency.

Her family was her main priority, and her strength provided the foundation for her children. She encouraged independence, and she was there to support them in the tough times. Her love for her children had no conditions or expectations, and her quick wit kept them grounded. Simply, she was Mum!

A love of sport stayed with her throughout her life. Joan won the sprint races of the mothers at the school fetes. Her netball skills were on display on the driveway when her sons started to play basketball. Joan took up tennis as an adult and formed lifelong friendships in Sydney and in Kansas City. Joan had a major surgery in 1991 and spent most of March Madness in the hospital.  Joan was a college basketball fan by the end of the month, and she declared neutrality when her sons’ schools met in the championship game. Joan was known to enjoy a good boxing match, and she might allow her sons to watch her pay per view at her house if their friends behaved. She was a long-term fan of the Royals and the Chiefs during the lean years through to the recent success.

Joan enjoyed her later years taking on her favorite role as grandmother. Sundays at the pool and trips to South Carolina were special times.  A defining aspect of Joan’s life was her care for her son, Patrick. With a number of major health issues from adolescence through adulthood, he needed his mother’s care and support frequently throughout his life. They also shared a love of gardening dating back to the family farm in Narrabri. Joan will rest next to Patrick under a majestic tree.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Ronald McDonald House of Kansas City to support other parents caring for their children battling illness. You may donate online by CLIKING HERE .

Joan was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Brian, her sister Catherine, and eldest son Patrick.  Joan is survived by her brothers Michael, Colin and Philip; her sons Andrew and his wife Kelly, Christopher and his wife Gretchen, and Timothy and his wife Stephanie; and her grandchildren Stephen, Jackson, Kaley, Colin, Kelsie, Sarah, Annie, Adele, and Emily.