Marjorie (Mardy) Cottrell

Marjorie (Mardy) Louise Bishop Cottrell

May 13, 1937 – May 30, 2019

Mardy was born on May 13, 1937 in St. Joseph, Missouri to Loyle and Lorna (Schmidler) Bishop, the second of two children. She graduated from Shawnee Mission Rural HS (now SMN) in 1955. She studied History at Beloit College in Beloit, Wisconsin where she was a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority. After college, Mardy worked for Tension Envelope in downtown KCMO and for Proctor & Gamble, traveling to most of the 50 U.S. States. Mardy met Jim Cottrell at Second Presbyterian Church in a singles bible study group. They were married at Second Presbyterian Church on April 20, 1963.

Jim and Mardy were married 47 years before Jim’s death in 2010. They have 3 children: Lisa Smith (Richard) of Kansas City, Kansas; Brian Cottrell (Kari) of Overland Park, Kansas; and Brett Cottrell of Overland Park Kansas. They have 5 grandchildren: Jace Smith 19, Lilah Cottrell 19, Drew Smith 17, Prairie Cottrell 16, and Robin Cottrell 11.

Mardy was a loyal and dedicated member of Ward Parkway Presbyterian Church and served as Clerk of the Session. She worked for the Heartland Presbytery for nearly 25 years and retired in 2008. After retiring, Jim and Mardy enjoyed a cruise to the Bahamas and travel in the U.S. before Jim passed. Mardy was an avid reader, bridge player, seamstress, fantastic cook, loyal friend, loving mother and grandmother and will be dearly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing her.

A memorial service will be held at Ward Parkway Presbyterian Church Wednesday June 5, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Ward Parkway Presbyterian Church or the Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Kansas City.