Doris Kitchen
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Memorial services for Doris “Jean” Kitchen, 80, Lawrence, will be held from 2-5 p.m. on Wednesday, December 29, 2010 at Pioneer Ridge Retirement Community, 4851 Harvard Drive, in Lawrence, KS. She died December 27, 2010 at Pioneer Ridge surrounded by her family.
She was born May 29, 1930 in Smith Center, KS the daughter of Ralph Warren and Mamie (Wurster) Barry.
Jean attended Logan Elementary School in Smith Center, KS. She was valedictorian of Smith County in 1944. She then graduated from Hays High in 1948. In 1950 she received her teaching certificate.
She married Bill Kitchen on September 1, 1951 at the First Presbyterian Church in Smith Center, KS.
Jean taught grade school in Brewster and Erie, Kansas. She was a beloved piano teacher and taught numerous students in Hutchinson, KS from 1965-1978, and then in Manhattan, Kansas from 1979-2002. She was a disciplined pianist and was on a continuous quest for self-improvement. She was an avid journal writer, as well as the author of a series of children’s stories about her youth in Smith Center. These can be accessed at jeankitchen.blogspot.com. She also devoted herself to quilting, crossword puzzles, art, gardening, and being a wonderful mother to her five children.
Jean was a member of the League of Women Voters, Environmental Action of Reno County, the Democratic Party, and was a cornerstone of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Hutchinson.
Survivors include her husband, Bill of Lawrence; her five children, Colleen Dick of Corvallis, OR; Kirk Kitchen of Ypsilanti, MI; Todd Kitchen of Lawrence, KS; Jocelyn Kitchen of Lawrence, KS; Sara Kitchen of Austin, Texas; one sister, Mary Louise Stepp of Smith Center, KS; eight grandchildren, Jean Dick, Connor Dick, Eamon Dick, and Ellie Dick of Corvallis, OR; Mulligan Greenwell, Ida Greenwell, Keegan Matheis and Eleanor Matheis of Lawrence, KS, and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family suggests memorial donations to the Konza Prairie Foundation and may be sent in care of the Warren-McElwain Mortuary.
Todd, Karen, Keegan, and Eleanor,
I was sorry to hear about the loss of your mother and grandmother. I will be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
Love, Sherry Warren
Colleen, often I have had fond thoughts of your mother over the years. She always took time for kind, interested, intelligent conversation, and I am so grateful for that. I loved her quiet humor too. She was capable and giving and stimulating, yet so gentle. Would she be surprised to know what a strong impression she made? My deepest sympathy to you, Kirk, Todd, Jocelyn & Sara & your dad on your loss.
Also want to say what a fabulous picture of your mom. Thanks for sharing that.
Todd & Jocelyn: You may not remember me, we were in a summer theater group in Hutchinson together as kids. Saw the notice of your mother’s passing in the paper and just wanted to say I’m thinking about you and you are in my prayers. God Bless you and your family.
Larry and I are so sorry to learn of Jean’s passing. I just thought she was one of the loveliest people I’ve ever known. We had stayed in touch through the years, a real gift to me. I’ve been reading her blog this morning–so glad you included it in her obituary. Our deep sympathy goes to all of you.
We will miss her gentle smile. She was so tiny but packed with strength. Please accept our sympathy. Judy and George Lookhart
Bill, We are so sorry for your loss. My parents were Royal and Lorraine (Campbell) Lattin. Lisa, Mike, Libby, and Matthew
Jeannie was a very good friend when we were freshmen and sophmores in Smith Center High School. She was one of the sweetest, nicest & smartest girls I ever had the pleasure of knowing.
May she rest in peace.