Vicki L. Groves

Vicki L. Groves, 75 of Topeka, passed away on February 17, 2023, from Lewy Body Dementia. She was born on August 23, 1947, in Kansas City, MO, the daughter of Victor W. and Betty L. Yarrington.

Vicki moved around a few times as a child while her dad was starting out his career as an automobile dealer. They relocated from Kansas City to Atchison, KS in 1956. They later moved to Topeka in 1959 when her dad started Vic Yarrington Oldsmobile, a family business that thrived for 43 years. She was a graduate of Topeka West High School (1965) and attended Washburn University and was a proud member of the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority. Vicki graduated from Washburn in 1969 with a degree in elementary education. Vicki married Larry Dale Groves in June 1973, they had three children and later divorced.

Vicki was a beloved elementary school teacher for over 30 years. She taught at Linn, Potwin, McClure and retired from State Street Elementary in 2017. After retiring she was thrilled to be offered a long-term substitute position at Whitson Elementary. At Whitson she was able to work alongside her two children Adam and Courtney. For that reason alone, she often said that was her favorite year of teaching. She was an active member of the Junior League of Topeka and co-chaired the Next-to-New fundraiser in 1987.

Vicki loved to celebrate birthdays and holidays. She had a way of putting her special touch on everything. Her family home on Pembroke Lane would be decorated for every holiday, but Christmas was her favorite. Coined the Christmas lady from the Topeka Capital Journal 'Cooks of the Week' in December 1988, many people would say that being at her house during the Christmas season felt magical. She was the ultimate host, known to her kids' friends as the "cool mom," her house was often filled with kids. The more, the merrier.

Nothing brought Vicki more joy than her children. She would often say her sole purpose in life was to be a mom. There wasn't a baseball, basketball, dance recital, tennis match, football game, swim meet, choir concert or theater production that she missed. She was their biggest advocate and cheerleader. In the summer she enjoyed working in the garden and her happy place was the swimming pool. Being a grandmother was her next favorite adventure. She adored all her grandchildren and loved to spoil them. Vicki loved driving carpool for school and sporting events. When she wasn't visiting her grandchildren in Atlanta, they would look forward to a box of goodies in the mail.

Vicki was proceeded in death by her father Victor W. Yarrington in 2005, mother Betty L. Yarrington in 2015, brother Stephen C. Yarrington in 2011, and sister Judith A. Yarrington in 1953.

She is survived by her three children; daughter Courtney Groves Farmwald, son Adam Groves of Topeka and daughter Carrie (Jeff) Robinson of Atlanta. Survivors also include, cousins Carol (Shane) Moore of Austin, Hilary (Kevin) Greene of New York, sister-in-law Julie Clanton of Topeka, niece Melissa (Jeff) Krug of Fort Worth, nephews Matthew Yarrington of Topeka and Michael Yarrington of Lawrence. She leaves behind her five grandchildren, Quentin Weathers, Icarus Franklin, Cooper Franklin, Nolan Robinson and Norah Robinson.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, February 22, 2023 at Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home, Mid-Town Chapel. Burial will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Lewy Body Dementia Resource Center; 750 West Broadway Suite 2R Long Beach, NY 11561 or to the Ascend Hospice, 5020 Bob Billings Pkwy, Lawrence, KS 66049.

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