1923
Sarah
2011
Sarah (Sally) Kemper Wood
July 19, 1923 — May 29, 2011
Mrs. Thomas Jefferson Wood, Jr.
Sarah Ann (Sally) Kemper Wood of Shawnee Mission, KS passed away on Sunday, May 29, 2011 at home surrounded by her family. Sally was born in Kansas City, Missouri on July 19, 1923 to Enid Jackson and Rufus Crosby Kemper. She was proceeded in death by her beloved husband of 59 years and eternal dance partner, Thomas Jefferson Wood, Jr . "Big Sal" is survived by their four children, Thomas Jefferson Wood, III and Patty; Sharon Wood Orr and Rich; Susan Wood Athens, and Sally Wood Shaffer and Mike; 13 grandchildren Kat, Matt, Brandon, Jason, Adrienne, Sean, Alex, Christina, Kelley, Jennifer, Laura, T.J. and Sarah and nine great-grand children. Sally is also survived by her sister, Jan Claire Kemper and her brother Rufus Crosby Kemper, Jr. along with numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and dear friends. She attended Notre Dame de Sion, Sunset Hill and was a graduate of University of Arizona.
Sally was passionate about Kansas City and the arts; A true Civic Leader and philanthropist she served as President of Junior League of Kansas City, Women’s Division of Kansas City Philharmonic, and The Westport Garden Club. She was a Past Chairman for The Jewel Ball, and The United Way. She served on the Board of Trustees for Sunset Hill School, The American Red Cross, Baker University, Children’s TLC, Children’s Mercy Hospital and KCPT. She was on the Board of Directors for The Nature Conservancy for Kansas, The Lyric Opera, and The UMKC Conservatory of Music. She served on the Alter Guild and was a Vestry Member of Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral. She was a also a member of the Kansas City Country Club, The River Club, Eldorado Country Club, and Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority. Sally was a Nelson Atkins Museum Society of Fellows and served on the National Committee of the Kemper Museum. These organizations were all greatly impacted by her wise guidance and generous spirit.
Most recently she served as the Honorary Chairman of MOCSA and over her long life volunteered countless hours and contributions to such organizations as: Kansas City Symphony, Kansas City Ballet, Quality Hill Playhouse and The Kansas City Art Institute. In keeping with her love of the arts, she was a fervent supporter of The Friends of Alvin Ailey, Chamber Music. She loved nature and the outdoors. She was quite a good fly fisherman. She supported the Kansas City Community Gardens, Powell Gardens and the Zoo. There is not a charitable organization in Kansas City that Sally did not touch in some way; more than could ever be listed here.
Sally's greatest love was her extensive family and spending quality time was always a priority. Her style, grace and generosity were without comparison. As The Grand Dame; she lived life to the fullest and always did it her way.
Her wishes were for services to be a gathering of family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, 4420 Warwick Boulevard, Kansas City, MO 64111 or the University of Kansas Cancer Center c/o KU Endowment, 4125 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, KS 66160. Arrangements through D.W. Newcomer's.
Share a memory, sign an online guestbook, or express your condolences at www.overlandparkchapel.com
Sarah Ann (Sally) Kemper Wood of Shawnee Mission, KS passed away on Sunday, May 29, 2011 at home surrounded by her family. Sally was born in Kansas City, Missouri on July 19, 1923 to Enid Jackson and Rufus Crosby Kemper. She was proceeded in death by her beloved husband of 59 years and eternal dance partner, Thomas Jefferson Wood, Jr . "Big Sal" is survived by their four children, Thomas Jefferson Wood, III and Patty; Sharon Wood Orr and Rich; Susan Wood Athens, and Sally Wood Shaffer and Mike; 13 grandchildren Kat, Matt, Brandon, Jason, Adrienne, Sean, Alex, Christina, Kelley, Jennifer, Laura, T.J. and Sarah and nine great-grand children. Sally is also survived by her sister, Jan Claire Kemper and her brother Rufus Crosby Kemper, Jr. along with numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and dear friends. She attended Notre Dame de Sion, Sunset Hill and was a graduate of University of Arizona.
Sally was passionate about Kansas City and the arts; A true Civic Leader and philanthropist she served as President of Junior League of Kansas City, Women’s Division of Kansas City Philharmonic, and The Westport Garden Club. She was a Past Chairman for The Jewel Ball, and The United Way. She served on the Board of Trustees for Sunset Hill School, The American Red Cross, Baker University, Children’s TLC, Children’s Mercy Hospital and KCPT. She was on the Board of Directors for The Nature Conservancy for Kansas, The Lyric Opera, and The UMKC Conservatory of Music. She served on the Alter Guild and was a Vestry Member of Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral. She was a also a member of the Kansas City Country Club, The River Club, Eldorado Country Club, and Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority. Sally was a Nelson Atkins Museum Society of Fellows and served on the National Committee of the Kemper Museum. These organizations were all greatly impacted by her wise guidance and generous spirit.
Most recently she served as the Honorary Chairman of MOCSA and over her long life volunteered countless hours and contributions to such organizations as: Kansas City Symphony, Kansas City Ballet, Quality Hill Playhouse and The Kansas City Art Institute. In keeping with her love of the arts, she was a fervent supporter of The Friends of Alvin Ailey, Chamber Music. She loved nature and the outdoors. She was quite a good fly fisherman. She supported the Kansas City Community Gardens, Powell Gardens and the Zoo. There is not a charitable organization in Kansas City that Sally did not touch in some way; more than could ever be listed here.
Sally's greatest love was her extensive family and spending quality time was always a priority. Her style, grace and generosity were without comparison. As The Grand Dame; she lived life to the fullest and always did it her way.
Her wishes were for services to be a gathering of family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, 4420 Warwick Boulevard, Kansas City, MO 64111 or the University of Kansas Cancer Center c/o KU Endowment, 4125 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, KS 66160. Arrangements through D.W. Newcomer's.
Share a memory, sign an online guestbook, or express your condolences at www.overlandparkchapel.com
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