Mary Margaret Cornelius

August 21, 1922 - February 27, 2022

Mary Margaret Cornelius, 99, of Roeland Park, Kansas passed away February 27, 2022 at the University of Kansas Medical Center. She was born August 21, 1922 in Denison, Texas to William and Margaret (Tousa) Mendina. When she was very young the family moved to Kansas City, Kansas, where she attended St. Benedict and Central Junior Schools. As a young woman, she left school to help her mother support the family. In 1939 she met her future husband. Melvin E. Cornelius. They married in 1942, bought a home, and raised three beautiful daughters. Mary enjoyed a lengthy career in retail sales, including the manager position at Richard Arnold’s clothing store. Her favorite holiday was Christmas Eve when she would always host an ever growing Family. She loved her Italian heritage and always had Italian cookies and sausages as part of the dinner served at the gatherings. Mary lived her life under her own terms. Family and friends that knew her considered her to be feisty and spunky. One grandchild nicknamed her “Pistol”. Mary was determined to reach her 100th birthday so that her new drivers license would show her age. She darn nearly made it! Mary is preceded in death by her husband Melvin Corneliius; parents, William and Margaret Mendina; grandson, Robert David Weber; and siblings, Nancy Goodack,Thomas Mendina, and Virginia Lee Mendina. She is survived by three daughters, Diana Cooper (Joe), Barbara McIntyre (George), and Marilyn Nugent (Lloyd); grandchildren Sherri Robertson (David), Brian Cooper (Mary), Michael Peck (Laurie), Brandon Peck (Stacey) and Aaron Weber (Michelle); great grandchildren, Heather, Kevin, Brooke, Parker, Hunter, Elijah-London, Nathaniel, Ryan, Ella, Drew, Bradley and Grayson; and great-great grandchildren Logan, Emma, Charlie, and one more expected in May. A visitation will be held from 1:00-2:00 PM with Funeral Services beginning at 2:00 PM Monday, March 7, 2022 at Maple Hill Funeral Home. Burial will follow at the Maple Hill Cemetery. Memorial Contributions can be made to the American Heart Association.