Mary Elizabeth Komosa

Mary Elizabeth Komosa (née Beaven) died on August 3, 2023 after battling bile duct cancer. She was surrounded by her family as she peacefully passed.

Born to Charles and Margaret Beaven on August 13, 1960, Mary was the second of the “Original Nine” Beaven children. She attended St. Joseph High School in Shawnee before earning her B.S.N. from the University of Kansas School of Nursing.

Following in her mother’s caretaking footsteps, Mary worked as a registered nurse up until the day she died. She spent most of her working life caring for patients in KU’s Comprehensive Epilepsy Center after being diagnosed with epilepsy herself as a child. She celebrated an incredible 40 years of service at The University of Kansas Health System this past May.

Of all the roles Mary played in her life, she took those of mother and grandmother most seriously. Together with James Komosa, Mary raised three boys. Her sons made her proud by carrying on the KU tradition. She lived up to the “Grandkids Spoiled Here” sign displayed outside her home. Nothing lit up Mary’s face more than time spent with family. She was insistent on taking a picture when everyone was together and filled her home with photos of the people she loved most.

A devout woman of faith, Mary was a lifetime parishioner of St. Joseph Catholic Church and found support in her church prayer group. She was also a devoted friend. Her presence will be missed by many at her weekly painting classes, monthly Bingo nights, and weekend coffee gatherings.

An eternal optimist, Mary extended her belief in the best to her favorite sport teams. She loved cheering on her Jayhawks, Chiefs, and Royals. She got to see the Royals win at home one last time just four days before her death.

Mary is survived by her three sons Mark (Sarah), Michael (Lara), and Sam (Alyson); five grandchildren Macy, Annie Grace, Holden, Gabe, and Oliver; and eight siblings Karen (Mike), Charles, Diane (Ed), Denise (Jeff), Scott (Laura), Mike (Michelle), Jane (Doug), and Ann (Keith). She is preceded in death by her parents, nephew Jon, and grandson Liam.

A visitation will be held from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Monday, August 7 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Shawnee, Kansas. A funeral mass celebrating Mary’s life will be said on Tuesday, August 8 at 10:00 a.m., also at St. Joseph. In lieu of flowers, her family asks that donations be made in her name to Epilepsy Foundation of Missouri and Kansas or St. Joseph Catholic Church.