Carolyn Cummings

Carolyn Mae “Carol” Cummings passed away peacefully at Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka on August 27, 2024, at the age of 85. Carol was born to Leo Earl and Bernadine Marie Manley Connor on April 20, 1939, in Kansas City MO. Carol was the middle child of five Connor daughters. She attended St. Peter’s Grade School and Bishop Ward High School in Kansas City KS before the family moved to Topeka. She completed her education as a Hayden High School graduate in 1957. On April 20, 1963, Carol married Gordon Ray Cummings, the love of her life, at Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church. They welcomed a son, Robert Leo Cummings in 1967. A second son, Patrick Connor Cummings, arrived in 1973. Patrick passed away a short four years later, due to congenital heart defects. In January 1979, in conjunction with friends Webb and Jeanette Isley, Carol and Gordon co-founded the Topeka chapter of The Compassionate Friends. TCF is an international mutual assistance, self-help organization that offers support and understanding to bereaved parents and families. They have long since passed on leadership of the Topeka chapter, and it continues to provide support to grieving families today. Carol worked as an administrative assistant for her brother-in-law, G. Barney Byard, CLU, AAGG with New York Life Insurance for 37 years. She was also very active at Most Pure Heart of Mary Church, serving as a eucharistic minister and wedding assistant/coordinator. Carol was a jigsaw puzzle aficionado and loved cheering on the Kansas Jayhawks and Kansas City Chiefs. Carol is survived by her son, Robert “Robb” Cummings; sisters, Pat Pound and Jeanne Johnson (Larry); and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. She was preceded in death by her son, Patrick, her husband, Gordon, and her sisters, Joanne Connor and Mary Dean Byard. Rosary will be prayed at 5 p.m. Tuesday, September 3, at Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Road, Topeka KS 66614, where visitation will follow until 7 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday, September 4 at Most Pure Heart of Mary Church, 3601 SW 17th Street, Topeka KS 66604. Burial will be in Mount Calvary Cemetery. Carol's Funeral Mass will be live-streamed on the funeral home's Facebook page, you can follow this link. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063672125244 Memorial contributions may be made to The Compassionate Friends (payable to Topeka TCF Chapter) or to Midland Care and sent in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be sent online to www.kevinbrennanfamily.com.

Carolyn Cummings

April 20, 1939 - August 27, 2024