Mary Claire Morris

Mary Claire Morris, 83, was welcomed into heaven on March 10, 2024. Mary Claire was born to Lillian and Irving Bicek on September 5, 1940, in Berwyn, IL. She is preceded in death by her parents and her two older brothers, Richard Bicek and Joseph Bicek. Mary Claire graduated from Nazareth Academy in La Grange Park, IL where she met her first husband, James R. Rund. Mary Claire and James (JR) Rund were blessed with three children, Randall, Matthew, and Jennifer. The young family resided in Villa Park, IL and Mendota, IL before relocating to Kansas City, MO in the mid 1970s. Mary Claire was a dedicated homemaker during the formative years of her children’s lives. She later earned an Associate of Arts degree from Johnson County Community College and worked in administrative roles and as a Paralegal for Blue Hills Nursing Center, St. Joseph Hospital, Western Auto, Burns & McDonnell, Resolution Trust Corporation and Quintiles. Mary Claire met the love of her life, Carter Foss, and moved to Overland Park, KS. The couple shared a passion for golf and a love for animals. Mary is preceded in death by Carter and their beloved dachshund, Jonathan. Now reunited, they are surely playing infinite rounds of golf together. Mary Claire wed James (Jim) Morris in 2008. The two went on many adventures together. They played lots of golf, they traveled to Ireland on several occasions moonlighting as groupies for the Irish band, The Elders. They enjoyed stomping grapes and pruning vines in the Crooked Post vineyards together (Mary enjoyed the fruits of their labor and Jim always drove them safely home). The couple shared a love for animals and had several treasured pets. Mary Claire cherished trips to hot air balloon festivals in Albuquerque, New Mexico with her best friend and daughter, Jennifer. Mary Claire was Neil Diamond’s biggest fan. Mary Claire enjoyed live music and welcomed any animal (that wasn’t a mouse) into her home. Above all, Mary Claire loved her family. She was joyous. She lived life to its fullest. She danced. She sang. She willingly got into baskets raised high into the sky powered by fire. She prayed (in part because she got into baskets powered by fire). She joked. She laughed. And she absolutely burst with pride to share stories of her cherished children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Mary Claire leaves behind a legacy of love and devotion. She is survived by her loving husband, James Morris, her children, Randall (Meredith) Rund of Kansas City, MO, Matthew (Bonnie) Rund of Ainsworth, IA, and Jennifer (Bruce) Slimmer of Overland Park, KS, her grandchildren, Abby (Patrick) Woolam, Jack Rund, Megan Rund (Kevin Nelson), Gunner Slimmer and Brooke Slimmer, her great-grandchildren, Susannah and Whitman Woolam, her nieces, nephew and sister-in-law. A celebration of Mary Claire’s life will take place on Saturday, April 13 at Church of the Nativity located at 3800 W. 119th St. Leawood, KS 66209. Visitation will begin at 9:30 am followed by an 11:00 am funeral Mass. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made in Mary Claire’s name to the Heartland Autism Society (asaheartland.org) and to the Kansas City Pet Project (kcpetproject.org), both organizations Mary Claire held dear to her heart. The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the hardworking and caring staff at St. Luke’s South and KC Hospice House for the love and compassion shown to Mary Claire in her final weeks of life.

Mary Claire Morris

September 5, 1940 - March 10, 2024