Kathryn Apollonia Reece

Kathryn "Kats" Apollonia (Kinsella) Reece passed away at 79 years old on December 28, 2021 in Olathe, KS. She was born June 20, 1942 to Frances Gertrude (Moylan) and Joseph Lawrence Kinsella in Chillicothe, MO. She graduated in 1960 from St. Joseph Academy and attended Northeast Missouri State Teachers College. As vice president of her class at St. Joseph she organized reunions and kept in touch with her schoolmates. She married her teenage sweetheart James "Jim" Vernon Reece on June 9, 1962 and they went on to have four children together. She began her working career as a real estate agent for Real Estate 100 eventually retiring in 1992 from United Telecom (Sprint) to care for her mother. She was known for welcoming new neighbors and planning activities in her Prairie Highlands neighborhood. She enjoyed being active, family get-togethers, and winter trips to Fort Myers, Florida. As a cherished wife, mother, grandmother, and friend she provided generous amounts of love, a can-do anything attitude, and moral support.

Kathryn was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years Jim and her parents. She leaves her children: Jacqueline Stecher and husband Dave, Kathleen Danahy and husband Mark, Joe Reece, and John Reece, grandchildren: Sarah (Stecher) Plumberg and husband Ross, Tyler Stecher, Thomas Stecher, Jamie Reece, Connor Danahy and wife Emily, and Ryan Danahy, greatgrandchildren: William Reece, Henry Plumberg, Aspen Stecher, and June Plumberg, siblings: J.R. Kinsella, Frances Ann Hayes and husband, the late Dr. L.George Hayes, and Lawrence Kinsella, and thirteen nieces and nephews.

Kathryn bravely fought against anaplastic thyroid cancer for the past 17 months. The family would like to express their gratitude to everyone for their support during her battle especially her Prairie Highlands neighbors, and Dr. Gregory Gan at KU Medical Center. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Kathryn's name to St. Paul Catholic Church in Olathe.

Funeral is Friday, January 28, visitation at 10 am, Rosary at 10:45 am, Mass at 11:00 am followed by lunch at St. Paul Catholic Church, 21650 W. 115th Terrace, Olathe, KS 66061. Private interment at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery, 8300 Quivira Rd., Lenexa, KS 66215, The Holy Family Mausoleum, Saint Joseph, Tier B, Niche B6.


Please click on the "Share Memories" button above to leave a message for the family.