Mary Ellen Stanley-Reeves

Mary Ellen Stanley - Reeves, 78, of Smithville, Missouri passed away Thursday, March 28, 2024 at Blue Hills Rest Home in Independence, Missouri, after succumbing to Primary Progressive Aphasia due to Alzheimer’s disease. Mary Ellen was born in Fort Madison, Iowa to Leo S. Stanley and Eleanor M. (Schreiner) Stanley on August 5, 1945. She grew up in Kansas City, attended Visitation grade school and St. Teresa’s Academy. In 1963 she married Jim L. Reeves and together they adopted two children, Kimberly Ann and Leo Andrew. Mary Ellen loved fiercely, was driven to overcome any challenge, and had a constant faith in God. She worked in sales for Lady Baltimore Foods as their first female outside sales representative, and while working, she raised cattle on her farm in Osborn, MO. She moved to St. Joseph MO to attend Missouri Western University and then on to Topeka, KS where she attended law school at Washburn University, attaining her law degree at the age of 57. She then had a calling to move to Waterville, Maine where she lived for twelve years before moving back to the area to be with her children. She was passionate about remodeling houses for most of her life and transformed several from ugly, tired, aging structures to beautiful and up to date residences. She loved any challenge/competition, from leg wrestling to playing gin rummy with family and friends, and she enjoyed reading. She was a member of St Francis Xavier Catholic Church in St Joseph prior to moving to Smithville where she became a member of Good Shepherd Catholic Church. Mary Ellen was preceded in death by her parents, a brother Leo E. Stanley, and a sister Loretta L. Stanley. Survivors include her former husband Jim L. Reeves, daughter, Kimberly A. Colclough (Philip) of Smithville, MO; son, Leo A. Reeves (Kimberly) of Cameron, MO; sister, Carol C. Warner (Roy) of Peru, IN; brother, Andrew W. Stanley (Rebecca) of Leawood, KS; Grandchildren: Kayleigh Norton (Severn Brewer) of East Burke, VT; Caitlynn Leslie (Jesse) of Holt, MO; Cassandra Crowley (Brandon Dugan) of Kansas City, MO; Perrin Reeves and JC Reeves of Cameron, MO; Great-grandchildren: The Leslie Children, Baylee, Jace, and Liam; The Dugan children, Audrey and Andrew; and the Brewer children, Alexa and Cohen. The family offers our deepest gratitude to the staff at Blue Hills Rest Home, Faith Hospice, and the many special caregivers. Funeral services will be Friday, April 12, 2024 at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, 18601 US-169, Smithville MO 64089. 10:30 am Rosary, followed by 11 am Funeral Mass, with a luncheon/Celebration of Life to follow in the church basement. Graveside service will be Saturday, April 13, 2024 at 11:15 am in Topeka, Kansas at Mt Calvary Cemetery, 801 Westchester Road, through Most Pure Heart of Mary Parish in Topeka, Kansas. Condolences may be left at https://www.reflectionsmemorialservices.com/obituaries/. The family will accept flowers, or more importantly, donations to KU Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center in honor of her memory: https://www.kumc.edu/research/alzheimers-disease-research-center.html?=redirect

Mary Ellen Stanley-Reeves

August 5, 1945 - March 28, 2024