Barbara Jean Benanti, age 83, passed away on Sunday, December 14, 2014 after a sudden and unexpected stroke.

Born Barbara Jean Meyer in Kansas City, MO on July 28, 1931 to Anthony Lewis Meyer and Rose Bauer. One of four children, she grew up near Crown Center in downtown Kansas City. Her childhood was filled with love, laughter and strong family traditions. She graduated from Lillis High School in 1949, and attended Donnelly College. Barbara met the love of her life Frank Benanti Jr. in 1954 and they married on November 17, 1956 at Our Lady of Sorrows. They shared a strong faith in God and together they made a home in south Kansas City, raising their four sons and living an amazing life together. Barbara enjoyed a 15-year career at Dodson Insurance Group. She loved her time at Dodson where she first learned to work on computers and form life-long relationships with co-workers.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents and her sister Marilyn Eth. She is survived by her husband, Frank, of the home; sister Virgina Kupersmith; brother William Meyer, wife Phyllis, her children Frank David III, wife Beth, grandson Frank IV; Michael, wife Connie, granddaughters Camryn and Mikayla; Patrick, granddaughter Tahlia, great-granddaughter Alessa; Ken, wife Melissa, grandchildren Mallory and Kyle, great grandchildren Payton and Hadley; and sisters-in-law, Josephine Badale and Clarene DiGiovanni.

Barbara's passions in life were making a home with her husband, raising her four sons, spending time with family and friends, cooking and gardening. She enjoyed old movies, making her famous disappearing Italian cookies, and tinkering with technology, her computer and cell phone. She loved the outdoors and some of her favorite trips were spending time on the beach in Florida and the many trips to the lake.

Barbara was a devoted and active presence at Christ the King Parish where she was a member for 51 years. At Christ the King, she was a weekly volunteer with Catholic Charities (Meals on Wheels) and participated in numerous church clubs, fundraisers, events and functions every year. She made many life-long friendships with so many parish families. Barbara was also an active member in her Lea Manor Garden Club and other ladies groups. She was a skilled knitter and seamstress, and loved to shop estate sales. She would always find treasures for everyone and was forever in search of that special item! She was a generous gift giver. Some of her most memorable gifts came wrapped in old wallpaper with a tag saying "from the basement". These gifts went mostly to her sons and their wives as a joke, but the gifts were always special and had a story from her heart. Barbara cherished her weekly and monthly breakfasts and luncheons with her many dear friends, including neighbors, her church friends, her high-school ladies, and her family.

Barbara's passing leaves a huge hole in so many hearts. Our memories of her will make us laugh and make us cry. We will miss her playful, ornery personality, her cooking, her stories and her generous love.

Visitation will be Thursday, December 18, at 9 a.m., followed by a Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. at Christ the King Catholic Church, 8510 Wornall Rd, Kansas City, MO 64114. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to Christ the King Food Pantry.

Condolences may be offered a www.passantinobros.com.