Mary Lou Hitt Craft Anderson
Mary Lou Hitt Craft Anderson passed away at her home in Westwood, Kansas on November 22, 2009. She went peacefully in her sleep with her family all around her.
Mary Lou was born on September 18, 1931 in Cape Girardeau, Missouri to Weldon and Wanda Hitt. She was the only child born to Weldon and Wanda. She has so much fun growing up in Cape Girardeau with her many cousins and friends. She was married to Bob Craft and they had one child, Michael Gene Craft, who resides in Cape Girardeau. Mike is an amazing man who has had many accomplishments off and on the race track. He is a joy to all who know him and his mother was so very proud of the way he has led his life. In 1961, she married Bill Anderson. Bill was the great love of her life. She spent every day after she met him making him happy and showing him how much she loved him. She enjoyed everything they did together: traveling to Florida and Omaha, watching theatre, or just sitting quietly at home. Bill passed away July 3, 2006 and Mary Lou missed him every day.
She and Bill had twin daughters in 1965. They were born prematurely and only one survived. Karen Stephanie Anderson passed away on November 21, 1965. Her sister, Kimberly Susan Anderson Carter, lives in Westwood with her family: husband Clinton, sons, Keaton and Collin, and daughter, Kennedy. She leaves a great-grandson, Aiden Wyatt Carter, 18 months, of Shawnee, Kansas, son of Keaton Carter and Kayla Catron.
Mary Lou loved to work in the library at Westwood View when her daughter attended there from 1971-1978. She also helped a lot in the theatre department at Old Mission Junior High. One of her favorite pastimes was to watch live theatre. It didn’t matter if it was her daughter, grandchildren, or professional actors, any performance thrilled her. She also did volunteer work at KU Medical Center in 1970s and 1980s. She enjoyed her work there transporting patients and spending time with them. Mary Lou also had a soft spot for animals. She rescued many birds, bunnies, squirrels and dogs. She always felt sorry for sick, orphaned animals. Mary Lou also enjoyed anything that had to with her grandchildren. She loved just spending time with them, telling elaborate storied, watching videos, playing with dinosaurs, making up pretend adventures and most of all being so proud of them.
Mary Lou’s greatest attribute was her love for people and her ability to make each person she met feel comfortable and better about themselves. Many people described Mary Lou as an angel. Mary Lou loved to lift up all people and help them see the very best in themselves. She gave her family unconditional love and encouragement and they all knew how important they were to her. They all hope she knew what a special person she was and how she touched the lives of so many people.
Donations made to St. Luke’s Hospice, 3100 Broadway, Suite 1000, Kansas City, Missouri 64111.
Services
There will be no funeral service as this is what Mary Lou wanted. Mary Lou was not fond of funerals but would like those she has left behind to cherish her memory by loving each other and giving unconditional love to those around us.
Print Obituary & Condolences
Offer Condolence for the family of Mary Lou Hitt Craft Anderson
Messages of Condolence
Please share your thoughts ...
QR Code for this Obituary
Use your Smartphone to scan the QR Code on the right to access this page on your phone.Grief Video Series
Join Grief Expert, Doug Manning in his Journey Through Grief video series.
Watch the Grief Videos here.Would you like to order flowers?
If you would like to order flowers please see the selection available at Russell Florist. Click here to see all of the available floral arrangements.
Dear Friends,
We are all deeply sorry for the loss of Mary Lou, but we know she will always be with all of you. Kim, you were so lucky to have such wonderful parents who thought the world of you and your family- they both were true gifts.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Love,
Natalie, Tim, Lauren and Claire Gibbs
We were so sorry to hear about your mother and grandmother’s passing. She was so proud of all of you. You were blessed to have her with you. You will all be in our prayers. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask.
Dear Kim and Family,
What a blessing you must have been to your Mom, Kim! I am so glad that you’ve had these last months with her. She sure left quite a legacy behind with such a caring daughter!
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this tough time.
Love and major hugs,
Kathy Scaletty
Dear Kim and family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
MaryLou was very special to our family we will miss her greatly.
MaryLou inspired us all, she was someone we could all look up to in the way she lived her life in such a caring and loving way.
We love you all,
Dan, Dianna, Ryan, Gina,J ordan, Cameron, Morgan
Dear Kim and Family
We are so very sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. We know how very much she meant to you and your family. Please know we are thinking of all of you and know how greatly blessed your lives were and that your wonderful memories will live on forever.
Love and Deepest Sympathies,
Lou and Bev Ferlo
My dear, sweet Kim
I was so sad to hear of your mom’s passing. I remember your mom and dad so dearly, as we spent those many times together
visiting, eating and watching the dog do those marvelous tricks for cheese. I know what a blessing you were to both of them and how you cared so, for one another. I remember the great joy you brought to them as you performed at Old Mission and Theater Under the Stars and that great find in the antique white bed…
I know you will always see her smiling down on you and your family with love in her heart for you forever and ever. That’s how I will remember her always. I miss you, Kim and would love to hear from you. You were always a favorite of favorites and I still speak of you to special students and I think of you frequently and your dear mom and dad. My deepest heartfelt sympathy and prayers are yours. In closing for now, I will leave you with two thoughts: “When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure.”
& “Perhaps they are not stars in the sky but rather openings where our loved ones shine down to let us know they are happy” (Eskimo Folklore) Love and prayers Lilaha (Ms. Bolen)
Dear KIm,
I have been trying to reach you by phone but I only had your mother’s number. I was so sorry to hear about your mother’s passing. SHe was a favorite cousin and I wish I could have spent more time with her, but the distance prevented that. I remember the last tiem I* saw her was in Cape and we had a cousin’s reunion. It was a special time and the time we all spent together at the Motel was even mor special. It was a time I will never forget. It was when I first got to meet you and Kennedy. Pleas give me a call or send me your phone number and I will call you.f God bless you during you time of grivfe over your mother. You are in my prayers and some day I hope we can meet together again.