Monica Ann Walker

Monica Ann Walker September 21, 1938 - October 15, 2017   Monica A. Walker peacefully slipped away last Sunday evening, at the Olathe Health Center Hospice, after a long struggle with COPD. Monica was born in Manchester, England shortly before War II. She was the daughter of Laurence W. Sullivan. Monica is preceded in death by her father, her brother, John L. Sullivan & her first husband, William (Bill) Owen, farther of their two daughters, Carol Owen Epstein (Harold) & Christina Owen Kumke.

Monica is survived by her sister, Kathleen (Ron) Sargeant, Manchester, England, her husband of 35 years, Lary L. Walker, her daughters, Carol Epstein & Christina Kumke, her nephew, Andrew (Julie) Sargent & niece, Louise, four grandsons, Benjamin & Daniel Epstein, Ethan & Zachery Kumke, one great-grandson, Quinton Kumke.

Before her marriage to Lary, she operated the Needle Woman Shop in Pine Bluff, AR, where she taught knitting, needle point & other thread art classes, as well as sold supplies. Since they moving to Shawnee, KS, she had worked for Hallmark Cards, and they had operated a number of booths in local antique shops for more than 20 years.

She was instrumental & a driving force in establishing the Autism Society of Johnson Co. (now “of the Heartland”) and pressing state legislation to extend training, care & assistance to children within the Autism Spectrum.

Monica was a avid collector of antique sewing buttons & was a active member of the National Button Society, Kansas Button Society (past President), the Missouri Button Society & she attended their conventions all over the country. In 2005 she published a book on buttons, “It’s All About Celluoid Buttons”, that was well received & she as sold to button collectors all over the country & overseas.

Memorial services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, Oct. 20 at the Amos Family Funeral Home. The family request in lieu of flowers, that contribution be made to the Autism Society of the Heartland, Olathe Health Hospice Care, or a charity of your choosing.

Memorial services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, Oct. 20 at the Amos Family Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Olathe Health Hospice House, 15310 Marion Street, Olathe, KS 66061 or Autism Society of the Heartland, Suite 270, 12600 Quivira Road, Overland Park, KS 66213.