Ruth  Ann  Gordon (Growney)

Fortified with the Sacraments of the Catholic Church, Mrs. Ruth Ann (Growney) Gordon of Blue Springs, MO died February 14, 2017. She was born in St. Joseph, MO on July 31, 1927 and lived most of her adult life in Independence, MO. She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Donald W. Gordon. Also surviving are six children: William (and Noriko) Gordon of Cromwell, CT; Rita (and Dr. Timothy R.) Shepherd of Kansas City, KS; Kevin (and Debbie) Gordon of Shawnee, KS; Bruce Gordon of Lee’s Summit, MO; Ronald (and Carolyn) Gordon of Tulsa, OK and Brett (and Jill) Gordon of Lee’s Summit, MO and five grandchildren: Amanda Lawson, Mitchell, Brian, Marie and Matthew Gordon. Mrs. Gordon was preceded in death by her son Brian Patrick Gordon in 1965, her parents Charles and Margaret Growney and one sister Mary Catharine Haake. Visitation beginning with the Rosary will be at St. Mark’s Catholic Church, 3736 Lee’s Summit Road, Independence, MO on Saturday, February 18, 2017, at 8:45 AM. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:30 AM celebrated by her nephew, Rev. Thomas M. Haake. Interment will follow at St. Columba cemetery by the abbey in Conception, MO. Mrs. Gordon’s grandfather Philip Growney and other relatives were members of the original colony of Irish Catholic immigrants from County Meath, Ireland who settled in Nodaway County, MO in 1858. Mrs. Gordon was valedictorian and president of her high school graduating class of 1945 from Sacred Heart Convent in St. Joseph, MO. She attended St. Joseph Junior College & Rockhurst University. She was employed at Western Chemical Company in St. Joseph and several financial institutions in the Kansas City area. When she retired in 1995, she was serving as vice-president and treasurer of several service corporations at First Federal Bank in Kansas City. Mrs. Gordon’s interests revolved around her faith and family. She loved to attend Mass and special devotions including monthly services for Our Lady of Fatima. She had a very caring heart and always found time to make a meal for the family of a deceased parishioner or to pray the Rosary for someone in need. She often reminded family not to worry so much about what others have or think because “your reward will be great in heaven.” She had an unmatched wit and work ethic. She had an infectious spirit of appreciation for the gift of her earthly life balanced with an unwavering faith that she was ready for the journey to paradise whenever the Lord called. Her life was and is her message to us. The family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation to the staff at Saint Mary’s Manor and Crossroads Hospice, who eased Ruth’s transition to her eternal resting place. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Children’s Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, MO in memory of her son Brian Patrick Gordon or St. Mark’s Catholic Church, Independence, MO. Online condolences may be expressed at www.speakschapel.com (Arrangements: Speaks Suburban Chapel 816-373-3600)