Arlene Mccanless

Patricia A. McCanless, 75, of Independence, MO passed away August 5, 2012 at Rosewood Health Center. Arlene was born on December 2, 1936 in Joplin, MO to W. Art Osborne and Mary (Williams) Osborne. She is survived by her husband Ronald D. McCanless of Independence, MO. They were married February 7, 1959. Arlene graduated from Richmond High School. She attended the Nursing School at Independence Regional Hospital from 1956 to 1959. She and Ron moved to Columbia, MO where she worked in the surgical operating room at the Fishl Hospital. In 1968, Arlene and Ron moved to Morton, IL and she went to Illinois Central College graduating with an Associate of Arts degree. She was an accomplished artist in oil and acrylic painting. She taught art to children in Morton, IL during the summer months. While in Illinois, Arlene received a nursing home administrator’s license and worked in nursing homes in Morton and Missouri when the family moved back to Independence, MO in 1980. Arlene went to Park College from 1981 to 1983, receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, and in 1986 she graduated with a Master’s Degree in Gerontology from University of Central Missouri. She was pleased to have opportunities to learn and continued to love and care for her family. Arlene was ordained an Elder in the Community of Christ in 1990 and served faithfully. Arlene is survived by her loving husband of 54 years, Ronald D. McCanless; two sons, David McCanless (Susan) and Ed McCanless (Shelly); three granddaughters, Sarah McCanless Lathrop, Courtenay McCanless and Maggie McCanless; one grandson, Andrew McCanless; and one great grandson, Keaten McCanless. Contributions may be made to Outreach International, 129 W. Lexington Ave., Independence, MO 64050. A private family service will be held at Richmond Memory Gardens in the coming week. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 18, 2012 at Community of Christ Summit Grove Congregation, 411 N. Lee’s Summit Road, Independence, MO 64050.