Margaret Lea McConnell, 91, of Shawnee, KS passed away May 25, 2020.

Margaret was born July 14, 1928 in Rector, AR to Esta and Tellie Roberson. Although she moved from there when she was three years old, she returned many times to visit relatives and has a soft spot in her heart for the Natural State. Margaret and her mother lived in the Waldo area of Kansas City. When her mother got remarried to Arnie Barth, they moved to Pleasant Hill, MO., where the Barth's operated a grocery store for a long period or time.  The family then moved to the Brookside area and started new grocery store.

Margaret divided her grade school days between Pleasant Hill and Kansas City and graduated from Paseo High School. From there she moved directly to the business world doing book-keeping for Emery Bird & Thayer while her parents returned to Arkansas to open a resort in Lake Norfolk, Mountain Home. Eventually, Margaret married E.L. (Mac) McConnell and due to the success of the business on Norfolk, they relocated for a period of time to assist in the operations of the resort. They handled Barth's Bayou Resort while her parents moved on and opened a second resort area on the same lake.

Eventually, Kansas City began to beckon and the McConnell's moved back to this area. Margaret's quest for a home produced the same intriguing reaction it did to many, and Margaret pursued her career as a real estate agent. Shortly thereafter her real estate career began, Margaret gave birth to her daughter, Janet Lea. While raising a toddler, Margaret strategically changed the methods of open house hosting for Ed Patton Realty while writing his ads. Her changes  proved extremely successful and created a name for herself in the industry. After staying home while raising Janet, Margaret returned to the real estate industry full throttle. She was the first woman president of the Johnson County Board of Realtors and an accomplished realtor in Kansas City. It was within the same period that she developed a relationship with The Travel House, a travel agency in Mission, KS where she at intervals arranged and directed tours to various vacation areas. One of her largest groups was more than 70 people whom she accompanied as tour director to New Orleans when the Chiefs played their first Super Bowl, at a pricey $12 a ticket. Margaret then spent her later years in life traveling with her daughter to various parts of the country including her beloved San Diego, where she was marketing director for Retirement Centers of America, Baltimore, Hawaii, and many international travels.

Margaret is survived by her daughter Janet Lea Preston (Ray), Grandchildren Maggie Lea, Mack James, Sam (Sarah), Nathan (Trista), partner in crime Kay McMurray, beloved cousins Glenna Stephens and Cliff Mahar, faithful caretakers Valeria and squad as well as her loyal pup Lacie Jane.

Memorial Contributions and Service Information

In lieu of flowers the family requests to honor her end of life companion, Lacie, with donations to LL Dog Rescue (P.O. box 8545 SMKS 66208) Due to the current COVID 19 restrictions, there will be a private visitation for immediate family at Amos Family Funeral home. An open graveside memorial will be held at Mt. Olivet for friends and family following. Please contact the family for further details.