Elizabeth Gilkison

Elizabeth Mary "Betty" Gilkison, 97, a resident of rural Centerville, Kan., died Tuesday morning, April 30, 2013 at Country View Nursing Home in Prescott, Kan. Betty was born Feb. 4, 1916 at St. Vincent's Hospital in Toledo, Ohio, the daughter of Joseph Leo and Marie O'Connell Bartley. She was a student at St. Ursula Academy through elementary and high school and attended Davies Business School. When her father died in 1934, Betty, along with her mother and brother, moved to Ft. Worth, Texas where she worked at National Supply Company to support her family. It was there that she met her future husband at a Catholic Youth Club. She married Thomas Mortimer Gilkison on October 26, 1940. After a honeymoon at Niagara Falls, they began married life in Abilene, Texas. Her husband's chemical engineering career gave them the opportunity to live in a variety of locations, including Monterrey, Mexico; Sao Paulo, Brazil; and various cities in the U.S., arriving in Overland Park, KS in 1968. Betty enjoyed gardening, playing bridge, singing in her church choirs, participating in Holy Cross Sunshine Club and various volunteer activities. In her later years, she was an avid reader and enjoyed bird watching, especially her beloved hummingbirds. Betty and Mort were active in their faith and involved at church and, upon moving to Kansas, helped establish the Church of the Holy Cross in Overland Park. They were members of Holy Cross since October 1968, when they attended the first Mass of the new parish in Glenwood Theater, which became affectionally known as St. Glenwood, attended the first church choir practice and were members of the choir for 15 years. Betty was the first volunteer secretary of the new parish, a member of the committee to obtain food for the poor and an original member of St. Jane circle. Betty and her husband loved to travel and visited many interesting places including Australia, Canada, Copper Canyon in Mexico, Ireland, the Panama Canal, Alaska, Hawaii and numerous trips throughout the continental U.S. Betty was preceded in death by her husband, mother, father and younger brother, Joseph. After her husband's death, Betty enjoyed five wonderful years living with, and being cared for by, her daughter. Betty leaves behind many friends and loved ones. She is survived by her son Thomas of Overland Park, daughter Mary and husband Richard Wilson of Centerville. Betty was a strong, thoughtful, loving, giving person with a wonderful sense of humor and sharp wit whose beautiful blue eyes and smile lit up a room. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 AM Monday May 6, 2013 at Church of the Holy Cross, Overland Park, Kansas. First visitation will be held from 4 to 6 PM Sunday at the Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, Mound City Chapel. Second visitation will be held from 10:30 to service Monday at the church. Burial will be 3 PM Monday at the Wesley Chapel Cemetery, Mound City, Kansas. The family suggests contributions to Harry Hynes Hospice. On line condolences for the family can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com. Arrangements: Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, Mound City Chapel.

Visitation Details

Sunday, May 5th, 2013 4:00pm - 6:00pm, Schneider Funeral Homes & Crematory, Mound CIty Chapel

Monday, May 6th, 2013 10:30am - 11:00am, Holy Cross Catholic Church

Service Information

Monday, May 6th, 2013 11:00am, Holy Cross Catholic Church

Interment Details

Wesley Chapel Cemetery