Virginia Ann Ary

Virginia Ann (Kenedy) Ary, 80, passed away peacefully on October 3, 2024 in Topeka, Kansas. She was born on Leap Year Day, February 29, 1944 in Woodward, Oklahoma to William Alfred Kenedy and Alberta (Albert) Kenedy. Following her father’s return from WWII, her family moved to Warner, Oklahoma where she attended grade school. In 1955, her family moved to Gore, Oklahoma for two years then returned to Warner, where she graduated with the Class of 1962 from Warner High School. After high school, she earned an Associate of Arts Degree at Conners Junior College in Warner followed by a Bachelor of Education degree from Northeastern University in Talequah, Oklahoma. 

In the Spring of 1966, Virginia was hired by the Topeka Public Schools to teach 5th grade at Quincy Elementary School. She spent the next eight summers working in New York City overseeing many groups of young people coming to visit and study at the United Nations. Her time in New York was a big adventure that she would speak of fondly over the years and she was delighted when her granddaughter ended up attending college there. In 1971, Virginia was offered a teaching position at Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch near Amarillo, Texas where she taught Vocational Academics to grades 7 through 12. During those summers, she returned to Northeastern University to complete her Master’s Degree in Education. 

On June 7, 1975, Virginia married Dennis L. Ary, whom she met while working in Topeka, and became the devoted mother of his 3 year old daughter Nicole. In 1978 they welcomed their son John. Virginia taught 4th grade at Wanamaker Elementary for many years and once her children were older, she returned to college to earn her School Administration degree. She subsequently became the USD #437 Facilitator for Curriculum for K-12 students, followed by a final appointment as Principal of Pauline South Elementary School, from which she retired after a 36-year career in Education. She was proud of her long career in Education and is remembered as an innovative teacher and administrator who cared deeply about the security, welfare and education of her students and faculty. 

Virginia was delighted to spend the first 12 years of retirement with Dennis in her beloved home state of Oklahoma, where she shared many laughs and days at the lake with her sister Margaret Dean, before eventually moving back to Topeka. She was an excellent cook and always showed great love through her delicious pies and holiday meals which were always joyfully prepared and beautifully presented. She loved sitting outside to read and traveling around the U.S. with Dennis visiting her kids and grandkids and exploring new places. She always put her family first and her resilience, faith and sense of humor sustained her through many health setbacks. 

Virginia was preceded in death by her parents, her infant son Todd Alan Ary, and her sister and brother-in-law Margaret Dean and Richard Ralls of Warner, OK. She is survived by her husband of forty-nine years, Dennis Ary, her daughter Nicole Dawson (Tim) of Mercer Island, WA, son John Ary (Ruby) of Lawrence, KS, two favorite granddaughters Callahan and Morgan Dawson, nephew Rick Ralls of Warner, OK, as well as many relatives and friends.

Memorial services will be held at Countryside United Methodist Church, 3221 Burlingame Road, Topeka, Kansas on Saturday, November 23, 2024 at 11:00am. Memorial contributions may be made to Countryside UMC or to another preferred organization. 

Friends are invited to share memories in the family’s online guestbook by clicking the "Share Memories" button above.