Mary Olander

Mary Colmery Olander, 82, Kansas City, Mo., died Saturday, October 6, 2007, at St. Luke's Hospital. Her family was with her, sharing in the last rites at this sacred, peaceful time. A service to celebrate Mary's life will be held 4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 9, at All Saints Episcopal Church, 9201 Wornall Road, Kansas City. A reception for friends and family, at the home of Mina and Lance Steen, will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, Mary preferred those wishing to remember her do so with a memorial contribution to St. Luke's Hospital Foundation, 4225 Baltimore, KC, MO 64111, or to her church. Mary was born in Topeka, Kan., the youngest of three children born to Minerva Hiserodt Colmery and Harry Walter Colmery. Her mother was a homemaker and her father was a well- respected attorney who, among other achievements, authored the G.I. Bill of Rights. Mary graduated from Topeka High School and Randolph Macon Women's College, where she was President of Kappa Alpha Theta. In 1950 she married Frederic H. Olander, Jr. of Kansas City, then a sales representative for Marsh Steel Corporation and later a founder and owner of Olander- Weatherholt, Inc. steel manufacturers' representative business. In their early married years, Mary and Fred lived in Tulsa, Okla., and Baton Rouge, La. They returned to the Kansas City area in 1957, enjoying and investing in this community for the rest of their lives. After Fred's death in January 2002, Mary remained in their family home and managed nobly on her own. In April of 2006, she moved herself to Bishop Spencer Place. This proved a great choice for her. She loved her beautiful apartment and relished the camaraderie of her friends and the staff. She also loved "never having to cook again." During their years together, Mary and Fred shared many enjoyments, first and foremost their family and friends. They loved to travel and had many such adventures together, with family, and with Fred's investment club, Blash. They were part of a church-related bridge club and took great delight in planning the nights which were theirs to host. Mary was a homemaker and actively volunteered in many aspects of her community. She was a loyal member of All Saints Church, serving on the Altar Guild, the Vestry, and as Senior Warden. One of her favorite activities was her weekly quilting gathering, a group of friends who called themselves "The Piecemakers." Mary served as treasurer of the group and was proud of the money raised for the church from sale of their handiwork. Even more important to her were the bonds of friendship that kept this group together for 27 years. Mary was supportive of Episcopal Social Services and enjoyed their Jazz Concerts that she and Fred helped initiate. Mary was an avid volunteer for St. Luke's Hospital, serving in a variety of capacities, including work in the Gift Shop and the St. Luke's Nearly New Shop. She was treasurer of the St. Luke's Auxiliary and served as chairman of the Holly Ball. Mary was a member of the Junior League of Kansas City, Mo., Mission Hills Country Club, Kelly Greens Golf Club in Fort Myers, Fla., and the Kappa Alpha Theta Alumnae Chapter. Mary leaves two daughters, Breese Tomick of Stamford, Conn., and Mina Steen of Mission Hills; a son-in-law, Lance Steen; a granddaughter and her husband, Sarah and Thomas Ruane of Fairway, Kan.; and a grandson, Troy Olander Steen of Costa Mesa, Calif. She also leaves her brother and sister-in- law, Harry and Sallie Colmery of Montecito, Calif.; and her sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Marian and Bill Atwood of Kansas City, Mo. Mary had a close and loving relationship with her sister, Sarah Colmery Martin, who preceded her in death in 1985. Mary's family would like to thank all those who helped enhance her life and who cared deeply for her. She hardly knew a stranger and so, had many friends, from all walks of life. We are grateful for all of you. This includes her "Mumsy" girls, her friends from Sanibel Cottages, the Piecemakers, her friends from Mission Hills Country Club, the members of All Saints Church, the residents and staff of Bishop Spencer Place, her "boyfriends" (Dr. Bruce Schwartz, Dr. Peter Holt, Dr. Kent Houston, Dr. John Hall, and Dr. Fred Lintecum), and the physicians and staff of St. Luke's Hospital. As one doctor put it, some people just have a "sparkle factor." In just a few days, he had come to know the spirit of Mary's life.

---