Mary N. Ibarra Garcia

Mary N. Ibarra Garcia, 86, passed away on December 5, 2023.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 am, Thursday, December 14th, 2023 at St. Ann Catholic Church in Prairie Village, 7231 Mission Rd, Prairie Village, KS, followed by burial at Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery, 1150 N 38th St., Kansas City, Kansas.

Mary “Mari” was born in Kansas City, Kansas on June 12th, 1937 to Richard and Carmen Lerma Ibarra.

Mary attended St. Thomas grade school in Armourdale, Bishop Lillis and Bishop Ward high schools. She worked at Milgrams and Nigros grocery where she met her husband, Tony. Mary & Tony married on May 4, 1973.  They combined 5 kids, then 3 more together.

Mary was a homemaker and her devotion was to her family. She welcomed all to the house with a smile and an offer of food and drink. Mary volunteered at the kid’s schools and worked in St Ann’s lunchroom. She enjoyed the cafeteria so much that she decided to work in the Shawnee Mission School District and retired from the Shawnee Mission West cafeteria after 23 years. The students loved having her serve them as she always greeted them with a smile and a little extra food.

Mary enjoyed playing cards with her family even into the wee hours of the morning. Most weekends were spent playing cards with her sisters including card games such as Canasta, Shanghai Rummy, and Phase 10. Later, she taught many of the grandkids those same games which they played together at family gatherings. Mom loved having all the grandkids over to play Bingo and letting them be able to choose a prize from the prize box.

Mary was very nice to everyone she met and knew no strangers. She loved helping others with whatever she could. Her biggest pride and joy were her grandkids who she loved to celebrate at birthdays, sports games, and at Christmas. She made it a point to call each of them on their birthdays and also always have a birthday card for them. Mary enjoyed Mexican music and dancing, watching sports games especially KU, and watching Dancing with the Stars. She spoke daily to her sisters, talking about Facebook, pictures and anything going on.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Carmen Ibarra, brothers, Richard (Elia), Raymond (Rita) and Jesse and mother in law, Mary Lou Ibarra Garcia. She is survived by her husband, Tony Garcia of 50 years; her children, Vickie Loya (Dave), Jackie Koch (Matt), Ray Lopez (Kim), Chris Lopez (Kim), Denise Speers(John,dec), Tony Garcia, Carrie Brandt (John), and Julie Garcia. She is survived by her sisters, RoseMary Montemore (Genaro, dec.), Anna Gonzalez (Paul, dec.) & Carmen Wolfgeher (Ralph) and sister in law Margie.  She is also survived by her 21 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren, 2 great great grandchildren, nieces, nephews & godchildren.

A special thank you to the ICU Advent Health nurses. Especially her nurse Kristin, who helped explain, guide and support us during the final 2 days. You were a true blessing to us.

She will be forever missed but we know she enjoyed all the days of her 86 years of living.

For those of you that can not attend Mary's service, please CLICK HERE to watch the livestream.