Marilee (Reilly) Fenton, 91, of Olathe, KS, passed away September 15, 2022. She was born on September 19, 1930 in Youngstown, Ohio to John and Mary Reilly. Marilee was married to James (Jim) in 1953, celebrating 60 years of marriage together.
In 1970, Jim and Marilee moved to the "great west" as the Kansas City area was known to those back east. Over the years, she made Overland Park, Lenexa and finally Olathe her home. She welcomed everyone she encountered as if they were family. Holidays often brought strangers to the table from across the globe.
The hallmarks of her life were faith, family and friendships.
Marilee was actively involved in parish life, no matter which parish: Holy Trinity, Holy Spirit and Prince of Peace. She enjoyed attending morning mass, spending an hour each week in the Adoration Chapel with Jim and was an active member of the social concerns committee at Prince of Peace into her 80's.
Marilee enjoyed her family no matter what the escapade. She loved traveling with them and her favorite travel companion was Jim. They traveled to every state but Alaska. They hiked the volcanoes of Costa Rica, drove the fuchsia-hedged roads of Western Ireland, visited the Churches of Italy, haggled in the markets of Mexico and enjoyed multiple trips to Canada. Even a rafting mishap on the Colorado River where Marilee was thought to be lost didn't dampen her adventurous spirit. Jim and she passed along their wanderlust to each of their grandchildren. She enjoyed sharing her love of cooking and baking with multiple generations. No matter what time of day or night, she would fire up the griddle to make a grilled cheese or ten. No meal was complete without dessert be it a dish of ice cream, homemade cookies, cakes or all of the above.
Marilee's sense of humor and fondness for fun endeared her to all who crossed her path. She made lifelong friends in the line at the grocery store, "participated" in multiple Bridge groups and was always available to share a cup of coffee and conversation.
Surviving family includes her daughters, Marianne (Kurt) Vincent and Katie (Andy) Lodes, grandchildren Kevin (Carrie) Vincent, Joshua (Emily) Vincent, Kelly (Donald) Heavener, Sophie and Margie Lodes, great-grandchildren Landon, Blayne, Owen, Sadie, Miles, Connor, Benjamin, Stella, her brother Richard Reilly and brother-in-law William McAllister.
The family would like to thank Ascent Hospice especially our guardian angel, Kim, and all of Marilee's dedicated caregivers at Aberdeen Village.
Visitation will be Monday, November 21, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church (13615 W 92nd St, Lenexa, KS 66215) from 9:30am-10:30 am. The Funeral Mass will follow at 10:30 am and internment at Resurrection Cemetery, Lenexa, KS.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Catholic Charities (https://catholiccharitiesks.org/donate/ ) , the Immaculate Heart Foundation http://www.ihfmary.org/ or invite a stranger over for a Thanksgiving celebration, making sure you add "pretty please with pink and brown sugar." Make sure you serve chocolate.
To leave a message of condolence for Mariliee's family, or to share a special memory of Marilee, visit the guestbook below.