Maria Milagros Toro Kerby
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Maria Milagros Kerby age 52, passed from this life on Sunday January 12, 2025 at LMH Health. She was surrounded by family and friends after a long and fierce battle with cancer. Services will take place at 10:00 am on Saturday January 18, 2025 at Warren McElwain of Lawrence with burial at Memorial Park Cemetery. Family will receive guests at Warren McElwain on Friday evening January 17 from 6 to 8 pm.
Maria was born June 28, 1972 in New York City, NY to mother Luz Raquel Gonzalez Toro and father Jaime Toro Sr. Growing up in the Bronx, she attended Our Lady of Mercy elementary school and then St Catherine’s Academy high school. After graduation she attended Lehman College and graduated with a Bachelors degree in accounting.
After college she worked as a Publications Representative for the New York Botanical Garden. On August 21, 2005 she married James Kerby Jr and made her home in Eudora, Ks. This marriage came with two children Marcia Michelle Roberts and Aaron James Kerby, who happily claimed her as their mother, and she claimed them as her own. She went to work for Healthcare Access. Prior to its closing she went to work at the Douglas County Treasurer’s Office. A year later she was hired at LMH Health, and at the time of her passing was Clinic Office Supervisor for LMH Cardiovascular Specialists.
Maria was a loving and caring person. Her middle name Milagros translates from Spanish as “Miracle” and it did truly describe who she was. She was ready to help anyone at a moment’s notice and she did touch so many lives in her time on this earth. Her smile lit up any room that she walked in to, and had such a contagious laugh. Her personality, compassion, and loving spirit gained her so many strong and lasting friendships.
She loved working in her many flower gardens during the spring and summer. She adored Christmas and all of her many decorations and trees. Even more than her love for Christmas, she loved her “fur baby” kittens Bronx and Bogo.
Maria was preceded in death by her father Jaime Toro, Sr, a nephew Jaime(J.J.) Toro III, and her beloved cousin Mildred Alvarado. She is survived by her husband James Kerby, Jr. of the home, daughter Marcia Roberts and husband Greg of Raymore, Missouri, son Aaron Kerby of Croydon, Pennsylvania, granddaughter Katelyn Dake and husband Theron of Sand Springs Oklahoma, and Grandson Christian Kilby of Gardner, Kansas. Also survived by her mother Luz Raquel Toro, Bronx, NY, brother Jaime Toro, Jr, Orlando, Florida, Nancy Toro of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins, all of whom she loved dearly.
The family would like to thank all the many friends and her work family for the many expressions of love and kindness. Special thanks for the loving, professional, and compassionate care given by the staffs of LMH Health oncology unit and KU Medical Oncology doctors and nurses.
Flowers are happily received at the funeral home, but special gratitude for any donations made to the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation which can be made in her name to Warren McElwain Mortuary.
Mr. Kerby, I’m so sorry. Now she’s in the arms of her heavenly Father. Jean, her Spanglish oncology volunteer.
Jim,
So sorry for your loss. Sending you lots for prayers to you and your family. Let me know if you need anything.
To Maria’s Family, I am so sorry for your loss. I first met Maria at Health Care Access (I served on the Board during that time) as well as working with her at LMH. As a “fellow East Coaster” (My Dad’s side of the family is from the Bronx) we bonded as soon as we met and I heard her accent. She was a lovely person and will be missed. I am so sorry for your loss. Sending you my heartfelt thoughts and prayers. Sincerely, Sheryle D’Amico
To Maria’s Family, I first met Maria at Health Care Access as a volunteer and remained as a volunteer until Health Care Access merged with Heartland. Maria had left Health Care Acces prior to the merger with Heartland and she eventully became an emplyee of LMH Health where we were reunited once again. Maria was a wonderful person and I cherish the friendship we shared for many years. She was thoughtful, loving and I loved her sense of humor. My thoughts and prayers to Maria’s family. Jim, I know what a devastating loss this is to you. Your family and friends will comfort and support you through the difficult times. We will be reunited with her some day. RIP my Friend!
I remember Maria from health care access. Deepest sympathy to her family and friends.
With much sadness in our hearts over the loss of one in a million people. Maria and I met at Health Care Access. We worked together for several years and she went on to work at Cardiovascular Specialists of LMH where she put in a good word for me and I was hired in their office and I had the privilege to work with Maria for several more years. We weren’t just co/ workers , we were Family. Maria was like a sister to me. I became great friends with Maria and Jim who loved me as much as I loved and still love them both. Maria will be dearly missed. She was God sent to all who knew her and loves her. I will forever be grateful for our time together as Friends/Family and c/o worker. RIP my dear sweet friend/ sister.
To Maria’s family. I am deeply sorry for this pain you are enduring. I became friends with Maria during our High School years, she was a Great friend to me. Always positive, smiling and full of jokes that made any life stressors disappear. Your family is in my prayers.
I first met Maria at LMH. Then I took my mother to Cardiovascular Specialists, Maria always helped us in so many ways. She was the best at her job!
We had many good laughs and chats about New York and family. Maria is so missed already. I will always remember her laugh and that great cheerful smile.
My deepest condolences to Maria’s family.
At each visit to the doctor, I greeted Maria with “Hola, Maria!” It is the only Spanish I know but she’d smile back with those wonderful dimples, and return to the greeting. Every once in a while a person of great warmth comes along. Maria was certainly one of those people.
Paula Hatcher
Jim. Reading your wife’s obituary, I can see she was a special person. Praying for peaceful hearts and minds Jama King
My condolences to Jim and the family.
May her soul rest in eternal peace next to my beautiful son Jaime jordanToro in The Lord Jesus Christ Amen🙏
Our heart felt sympathy to her entire family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you Nancy and Christian. Love to all!
Our group misses Maria dearly and sends our most sincere condolences; we made a donation to the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation in her memory. We are all so lucky to have crossed paths with Maria!