Margaret Whittier Obituary

Marg Whittier, 85, passed away peacefully surrounded by family, on June 13, 2024. Marg is survived by her brother Gary Rollin Welch (Carolyn Welch) of Kansas City, daughters Stacey McCarthy (Dan McCarthy) of West Newton, Massachusetts, and Jody Madler (Peter Madler) of Mount Prospect, Illinois, in addition to three beloved grandchildren, three nieces, and two nephews. Marg is predeceased by her husband of 63 years, James Marshall Whittier.

Marg was born September 21, 1938, to Josephine Null Welch and Perry Allen Welch in Hutchinson, Kansas. She always referred to Hutchinson as "Paradise", remembering an idyllic childhood visiting family farms, and competing in rodeos on her horses Queenie, Bonnie, and Earthquake.

After graduation from Hutchinson High School, she continued to Monticello College, and graduated from the University of Kansas with a Bachelor of Arts in Personnel Management. While at KU, Marg joined Kappa Kappa Gamma, where she made lifelong friends. She remained active with Kappa post-graduation, through its Kansas City Alumnae Association,and continued service to the KU Omega Chapter.

Upon her move to Kansas City, Marg joined the Junior League of Kansas City, Missouri, which led to new cherished friendships, leadership roles, and meaningful volunteer workthroughout the community.

Her love of learning led her to co-found BTS, a women's investment group, as a means to gain knowledge of consumer trends and financial markets.

A born saleswoman, Marg sought to engage her talent first at Talbots, then at Treasures of Santa Fe, which resulted in a lifelong passion for Native American art, culture, as well as friendships with the artists, and invitations to ceremonies on the artists' reservations.

In 1996, Marg and Jim built their dream home in Durango, Colorado where she further grew her knowledge of Native American culture, and founded her own business, Hermosa Trading Company.

Marg was happiest when surrounded by family and friends, fostering loving connections across generations. She was the heart of the family and set a wonderful example as wife, mother, sister, aunt, and grandmother. We will always lovingly remember her as "Best on the Block".

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in her honor be made to Wayside Waifs, or the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation. Arr: Signature Funerals, 816-214-5174