1.14 - Mom's Passing

There are a number of things to state here, but fundamentally I want to express to everyone just how beautiful and graceful mom leaving Earth behind was.

At 7 PM on 12.31.10, while writing her obituary I had writer's block. It's a good thing b/c I went to sit beside Mom for inspiration. When I picked up her hand, it was much cooler than normal and I noticed her color had changed similar to the modeling we'd read about. I got Mark, called her parents, several other people she wanted to be present when she passed, and called Hospice since they committed to 24 x 7 care the remainder of the time. I honestly believed she had several hours. However most everyone arrived by 7:30 and at 7:36, she was gone.

Mom leaving was amazing. We had prayed a Hail Mary and Our Father and were there to say goodbye. She did not struggle and ultimately exhaled her last breathe without getting another. Shortly thereafter we popped a bottle of champagne and toasted her new life in honor of her and New Year's Eve. I described it as her last hosted party. So cool.

From there, a number of things happened. The thing I want to share which could not have been more perfect was her physically leaving her house the last time. Funeral home guys had shown up to pick her body up and being someone who has to see everything, I stepped outside to watch her body loaded into the minivan (white - just like hers). I had to laugh. The van which carried her body away had a KState license plate frame - just like the KState stickers on her own van! It could not have been more perfect and was as if she was driving her own van away.

I'll write another post soon which will have more of the information related to her funeral for those that were not able to attend, especially the Prayers for the Faithful and the letter Mark and I wrote for her funeral mass. A sneak preview is that it was an amazing 3 days and I only wish that I had video of it b/c we were all very emotional yet were told numerous times just how beautiful it was...just like she planned it.

1.8 - Tribute Video from Funeral Receptions

We haven't really collected enough thoughts to write, but there are a few of us family members that will have some pots. In the meantime I wanted to post the video that was shown at mom's funeral receptions and was running at the visitation w/o sound. Her cousin, Gail, put it together after a lot of chats with Mom and some pictures. It's touching and I'd highly recommend a Kleenex!

http://vimeo.com/18416011

1.2 - Obituary

Tomorrow's will have a photo, but here's the text from and link to Mom's obituary.

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/kansascity/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=147519421

Cathi Snell Maynard went to join our Heavenly Father on December 31, 2010, surrounded by family, after a two and a half year battle with Leukemia. She was born December 30, 1953, in Manhattan, KS, to Virgil and Jane DeVore Snell, and was the oldest of 7 children. She lived each and every day to the fullest and touched everyone who knew her. Her life was full of family, travel, culture, Kansas City Chiefs games, and a love of entertaining that will forever be remembered by those who were fortunate enough to enjoy her events.

Cathi spent her early career in a variety of roles, including one as a legal assistant. She then recognized the computer evolution and in 1989 accepted a position at Shook, Hardy, and Bacon as a Litigation Support Manager in their IT department, bringing her family back to Kansas City. As a single, working parent with two sons, she completed a General Business Bachelors degree from Oklahoma City University during this time. Kansas City and a vast personal and professional network propelled her to a full-time IT career, resulting in her starting her own boutique consulting company focusing on several prominent KC law firms as well as other businesses. She led Network Applications Consulting as President from the early '00s until her death.

Cathi's thirst for adventure was well- documented through pictures, emails, and friends. She traveled all over Europe including a D-Day tour with her Veteran father and uncle. Her adventures also led her through countless campsites, rivers, lakes, and wildlife exposure - most of them with the Boy Scouts of Troop 91 where she mentored many young Scouts. She canoed and hiked the Boundary Waters area of Northern Minnesota, but her greatest achievement among these was Project Cope - a challenging team-building course she completed and was always extremely proud of.

She was preceded in death by grandparents Walter and Margaret Drauden Snell and John and Beatrice Johnson DeVore. She is survived by Son Conor Maynard and wife Annie of Chicago, their children Harrison Bradley and Ella Catherine, Son Mark Maynard of Oklahoma City, Parents Virgil and Jane Devore Snell, siblings Mari Yearout, Janice Schlichting, Lori Offutt, Rhonda Anawalt, Patricia Moore and Walt Snell, Godsons Anthony Snell and Mason Offutt, and many other relatives including 23 nieces and nephews. Visitation will be Tuesday, January 4, from 5-8 p.m. at the McGilley and Hoge Chapel, where the Tribe of Mic-O-Say Memorial Service will be at 6:00 p.m. and the rosary will be prayed at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 5, at Ascension Catholic Church. There will be a reception celebrating her life following. Burial will be Thursday, January 6, in Winfield, KS, at Highland Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating on behalf of Cathi Maynard to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society at 6811 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Shawnee Mission, KS 66202.

1.1 - Funeral Details

Here are the confirmed details for Mom's funeral services. We have the Ark City / Winfield reception location pending, but otherwise are fairly set now. Feel free to use the earlier posted bereavement travel desk. I used them and secured some good flight times, costs, and flexibility (no cost for flight changes), but I know some others got better flight times directly through the airlines. These details will also be in tomorrow's Kansas City Star obituary with the accompanying picture in Monday's paper.

Tues, 1.4
- 5 - 8 PM: Visitation and Rosary at McGilley & Hogue Chapel in Overland Park - 8024 Santa Fe Drive
- 6 PM: The Boy Scouts will perform the Mic-o-say memorial ceremony (all are welcome)
- 7 PM: Rosary

Wed, 1.5
- 10 AM: Funeral at Church of the Ascension (9510 W 127th St)
- Reception following at the church

Thurs, 1.6
- 10 AM: Meeting at Swisher-Taylor funeral home in Winfield (803 Loomis St) for processional to Highland Cemetery
- 10:30 AM: Burial
- Reception following - location TBD