KANADY, Jeanne G. (Rider)

Jeanne Gertrude Kanady, 85, St. Joseph, died April 18, 2009 with her family at her side. She was born Jeanne Gertrude Rider on Aug. 8, 1923, in Chickasha, Okla., to Herbert and Bessie Rider. Mrs. Kanady was preceded in death by her parents. She was a member of the Buchanan County Women’s Democratic Club and the Buchanan County Democratic Club, a member of the Y-Women Club of the YWCA. She was an alumna of the Oklahoma College for Women where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Biology. She loved gardening, flowers and wildlife, especially birds, and was a frequent visitor to Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge. Jeanne was also a charitable supporter of the Special Olympics. JeanneÆs impressive artistic talent was obvious in her numerous drawings and paintings. Her career as a social worker with the Missouri Department of Family Services created a champion for the underprivileged children of Buchanan County. She protected them from abuse and neglect, and provided aid when necessary. Survivors include sons, John Kanady, Austin, Texas, Thomas Kanady and his wife Jean, Bellevue, Wash.; daughter, Rebecca Ann Kanady-Gonzales, Austin; grandchildren, Jacobo Gonzales, Marina Gonzales and Joaquin Gonzales, Austin; brothers, Ralph Rider and his wife Betty, Denton, Texas; Bob Rider, Okla.; and sister, Jo Ann Jennings, N.M. A memorial gathering to celebrate her life will be held 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory, St. Joseph. A web site is available at www.kanady.com/jeanne as a family memorial. Please consider making a donation in Jeanne’s memory, in lieu of flowers, to your local chapter of the Special Olympics. Online guestbook and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.