Mary Jo Waugh

Mary Jo Waugh, 69, of Topeka, passed away peacefully at her home on Friday, December 9, 2016, comforted with love and surrounded by her family. Mary Jo was born October 5, 1947, in Topeka KS to Joseph and Florence (Mock) Walsh. She graduated from Hayden High School in 1965, where she later served on the Reunion Committee. After attending Washburn University, she worked for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas and retired after 36 ½ years as Regional Sales Manager. After retirement, she dedicated her time to her family and was strongly committed to volunteerism. She served as either a Board Member or had committee affiliation with many organizations including the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce, Sales & Marketing Executives of Topeka, Easter Seals Capper Foundation, Meals on Wheels, Kansas Blue Cross Blue Shield Credit Union, Kansas Health Insurance Association, Go Red for Women, and United Way Greater Topeka. She was also a proud member of Christ the King Catholic Church. Mary Jo was previously married to John M. Waugh, and had three children from this union, Michael, Jenifer and Erin. On November 6, 1999, she married James D. “Dix” Waugh and became mother to Nathan and Adam. She is survived by her loving husband, Dix Waugh; her adoring children, Jenifer Waugh (Dr. Ryan Merkow) of New York NY, Erin Waugh (Rodrigo Jurado) of Chicago IL, Nathan Waugh (Kimberly) of Fort Worth TX, Adam Waugh (Rema) of Grosse Pointe Woods MI; daughter-in-law, Lisa Schmoller-Berndt of Algonquin IL; and ten grandchildren who were the light of “Gigi’s” life, Joseph, Jordan and Jameson Waugh (Algonquin IL), Eva Merkow (New York NY), Zoe Jurado (Chicago IL), Hunter, Madelynn and Parker Waugh (Fort Worth TX), Olive and Kansas Waugh (Grosse Pointe Woods MI); sisters, Teresa Massey (Dennis), Topeka KS and Donna Tryon (Denny), Ozawkie KS; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and her son, Michael on January 30, 2006. Her family expresses a very special thank you to Dr. Mehmood Hashmi, Dr. Russell Green and the staff of Grace Hospice and Blassingame Home Care for the loving and compassionate care. Family will greet friends from 5 to 6:45 p.m. on Thursday at Kevin Brennan Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Road, Topeka KS 66614, where a parish rosary follows at 6:45 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Friday at Christ the King Catholic Church, 5973 SW 25th Street, Topeka KS 66614. Inurnment will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Easter Seals Capper Foundation or to Christ the King Catholic Church, sent in care of the funeral home.

Mary Jo Waugh

October 5, 1947 - December 9, 2016