Bertie Mcconnell

Mrs. Donald McConnell, Bertie, died on February 21, 2012 at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

Bertie Grace McConnell was born on October 15, 1921 in St. Louis, Missouri, the daughter of Bertis and Grace Ella Stone Ross.  She grew up in Topeka, Kansas and attended Washburn University prior to moving to Lawrence in 1942.

She was employed in the Personnel Department of Hercules Powder Company during World War II.  She married Donald McConnell, May 22, 1944 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Don preceded her in death on November 5, 2006.

For several years she conducted classes in decorative painting and decoupage at McConnell Lumber Company.  She attended Plymouth Congregational Church in Lawrence for over 65 years and was a member of Plymouth Women.  She was a member of Beta Sigma Phi and President and later advisor to Alpha Gamma Chapter.  She was elected President of Beta Sigma Phi City Counsel. Bertie was a member of the University Women’s Club and an Associate Life Member of the Kansas University Alumni Association and the Endowment Society.  She was honored to join the Washburn University Chapter of Zeta Tau Alpha, as a ninety year-old pledge and was featured on the television show, Anderson, in an interview by Anderson Cooper.  This noteworthy event was publicized in numerous newspapers, magazines, web-sites and U-Tube.

Bertie is survived by a daughter, Judith McConnell-Farmer and her husband, Weymouth, of Topeka.  Her son, Donald (Chip) McConnell, Jr. of Lawrence and wife, Connie, reside Lawrence.  A son, Craig preceded her in death in 1986.  She had six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.  She is also survived by Doris and Dean Owens of Lawrence, two nieces and one nephew.

The funeral is scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday, February 27, 2012 at Plymouth Congregational Church with burial to follow at Memorial Park Cemetery in Lawrence.

Family will greet friends from 1 – 3 p.m. on Sunday at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence.

Memorials may be made in Bertie’s name to the Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority – Washburn University Chapter, or Plymouth Congregational Church and may be sent in care of the mortuary.