Thelma Maryandersonkennedy Gist

Thelma Mary Anderson Kennedy Gist, 74, native of Topeka, Kansas, died at St. Luke's Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri on September 23, 2003 from complications following triple bypass surgery.

She was a business woman in Bethany, Missouri where she had been active in fund raising for the local hospital, the American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association. She was a member since 1973 of Bayard Chapter #179, Order of the Eastern Star in Harrisonville, Missouri. Her first husband, Thomas W. Kennedy died in 1959. She had accompanied him in his military assignments to Mississippi and Massachusetts.

In 1961 she married Rodney V. Gist. During their 42 years together, they have lived in various places in Kansas and Missouri.

She is survived by her husband, Rodney V. Gist who is with the Missouri court system. Survivors include her children, Tom W. Kennedy, Topeka, KS, Deborah Kennedy-Nix, New Castle, CO, Rodney V. Gist, Jr., Harrisonville, MO; 2 brothers, Ralph R. Anderson, Topeka, KS, and Kenneth E. Anderson, Gainesville, GA; 1 sister, R. Louise Anderson Juergens, Falls Church, VA; and 4 grandchildren.

Mrs. Gist will lie in state at Penwell Gabel Mid Town Chapel from noon to 9 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 26.
A celebration of her life will be held at Penwell Gabel Mid Town Chapel in Topeka, Kansas on Saturday, September 27, 2003 at 1:00 p.m. Interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery, Topeka, KS.

Memorial contributions may be sent to the Bayard Chapter #179, Order of the Eastern Star in care of the mortuary.