Channette Alexander
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Channette Alexander, 74, died on 9/30/2022. Channette was born in Lucerne, Switzerland on August 6th, 1948, daughter of Anne Lucille Keeshan and Charles W. Alexander. She moved with her parents to the United States as a small child and lived in New York City, New York and Stamford, Connecticut. She later moved with her family to Lawrence, Kansas in 1961.
After graduating from Lawrence High School, she returned to Europe and lived there for three years. She attended the University of Bronn, and the University of Kansas. She began working at the University of Kansas in 1969 and retired in 2021 where she was the Head Librarian of Spahr Engineering Library.
In January of 1970 she married Larry Mastin and was later divorced. She went on to build a family and is survived by her son, Liam Kirby and beloved daughter-in-law Allie Kirby and their children, Royce, Selma, and Herschel Kirby of Arvada, Colorado. She is also survived by her brothers, Bill Maynard, Park City, and Chris Alexander with his husband Mike Hastings and their two sons Ari & Evan, and by her sister Wendy Alexander, her sons Ryan, Jordan, & Grady of the Eudora, and Kansas City area.
Channette died peacefully in her sleep due to complications from a stroke. She lived a full life, deeply rooted in the care of others, always focused on those who needed shelter, food, or just a friend. She stood for others when she could barely stand herself, she sat with those that had no one to sit with. A life dedicated to others first. She was a February Sister, always.
A memorial service will be held an 10:30 am, Saturday, Oct. 22nd, at Saint John the Evangelist Church, 1234 Kentucky Street, 785-843-0109. A private burial will be at Mt. Calvary cemetery following services. Contributions in her memory may be made to Lawrence Community Shelter.
I’m so sorry Chris, Wendy and Mike!
Oh Chris, Mike, Ari, Evan and family- so sorry for your loss!! She sounds like a wonderful sister and aunt!!! 💞🫶🏽🙏🏽
Chanette was an amazing woman. I cherish the conversations we had visiting at the engineering library. Sending all my love to her family.
I became friends with Chanette in the late 70’s-early 80’s during my KU Libraries employment. I have forgotten many people from my KU days, but not Chanette. Hers was a life well lived. I offer my sincere condolences to her family and hope your memories of her will lift you during this difficult time.
I worked with Chanette at KU Libraries for many years. She was a wonderful colleague and friend. I will miss her.
I am so very sorry to hear about Chanette today. I had only met her when she was moving into her new apartment at Brandon Woods because I have a resale shop in town and she had contacted me about a table set. It was easy to talk to Chanette and to make all the small-town Lawrence connections we shared. I enjoyed my visits in person and on the phone with her. Positive thoughts and prayers for her friends and family.
Channette was a wonderful, supportive friend and colleague. I am saddened by her departure, but I will cherish the memories I have of her. My deepest condolences to her family, especially Liam. I will keep you in my thoughts.
I knew Channette from my work at KU Libraries. She was a great friend, very kind and sweet. She will be
missed by those of us who knew her. I won’t forget her.
Heaven has gained a beautiful angel! I am deeply saddened by the loss of Channette. She was a lovely person with whom I enjoyed talking to and sharing our fond love for our fur babies (Stella – her dog, and my dog, Bella). In fact Channette spearheaded the voting by Brandon Woods residents to vote for Bella as the best employee pet. Channette would tell her BW friends that Stella was Bella’s buddy. Needless to say, thanks to Channette, Bella won the most votes. =)
Channette shared with her BW friends how she knew me and my family from a very, very young age starting in the early 1960s. She knew my family and we all went to the same Catholic church (St. Johns).
I will truly miss her smile, her warm and loving personality. I pray and hope Stella has found a good home since I know she is traumatized by the loss of her human/mama.
My prayers for the family and friends of Channette. May your loving and fond memories of Channette bring you comfort during this difficult time.
Much love and peace,
~Le-Thu Erazmus & Bella
I was friends with Channette at Lawrence High School. We were in art classes together. She was very talented and fun to be around. I can still hear her voice and laugh.
She sent me two tea towels from London, I think as a wedding present. I had them framed.
We lost touch, which I regret. Channette was a person you don’t forget. My prayers to the family as you go through grief with her passing.
My deepest condolences to Channette’s family. I worked with Channette on at least one library committee and recall she was always level-headed, calm, and wise. She was also modest as I did not know she was so self sacrificing and involved with helping others. She will be sorely missed by many.
With Sincerest Sympathy,
Jim Smith
Gorton Music and Dance Library
Operations Manager, ret.
My deepest sympathies to Channette’s family and friends. Channette and I worked together many years at the KU libraries. She had a great sense of humor and was fun to work with. She is greatly missed.
Channette was an amazing caregiver to her community. I think of her so often when I drop my kid off at hilltop. What an amazing legacy? She is going to be so deeply missed.
Condolences to Channette’s family. I worked with Channette at the Kansas Union and she was the most pleasant and interesting person. We always greeted each other with a “hey cousin” due to our distant relative Flora Alexander Coons. I’m so sad for her early passing.
I am so sorry to hear of Channette leaving this earthly world. She was always so outgoing, friendly and always with a kind word. I met Channette through our mutual friend, Alison Bauer. I am sure they are catching up with one another as I write this. She was a true Gem in this world. She will be missed.
I am so sorry to read of Channette’s passing. I met her while working with the Library system. She was a wonderful person to work with and enjoyed talking to her about her life experiences. Channette made a great impact on my life and will miss her uplifting smile and wonderful personality. R. I. P. My friend.
The whole Cameli family is deeply saddened by Channette’s passing. She was like a second mother away from home for 5 of us while we attended KU. She was dear to our entire family who was able to get to know Channette at our various graduation parties. She had a kind, generous, compassionate soul, the way she lived her life was a wonderful example of how to be a truly good person. The impression she made upon all of us helped shape who we have become as adults. We are grateful to have been touched by her grace, we will forever carry her in our hearts.
Chanette will always be special to me. I knew her in a different context than her work at KU. She touched me with her sweet disposition, her integrity, her giving nature, and her intense love of her family. I am grateful to God that I had the opportunity to know her. Liam and Allie, she loved you and the children so much!
Channette was a person wide and deep; she was so smart about so many things, but never ostentatious about her academic chops. She was incredibly dedicated to a quest for equity, not out of some cerebral or abstract idea, but because she believed in the dignity and value of each person which shone forth in her interactions with all sorts of people. She was a genuine friend to so many people she encountered over the decades. But if you really wanted to see her light up, watch her as she talked (or showed picture after picture) about her son, daughter in law and grandchildren! She leaves a legacy of what it means to be a decent human being in the hearts of so many individuals and organizations and throughout our community. I’m better for knowing her.