Linda Flavia Maenza, 77, passed away Friday, February 28, 2014, peacefully at her home. Visitation will begin with the Rosary at 4 p.m. and continue until 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 4, at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 900 NE Shady Lane Dr., Kansas City, MO 64118. The Mass of Christian Burial will be 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 5, at St. Charles Church, with entombment following at Resurrection Mausoleum, Kansas City North.

Linda was born October 14, 1936 in Lascari P. Palermo, Sicily. She came to Kansas City in 1956 and worked in her uncle's grocery store. She married Saverio in 1962 in Sicily and they returned to Kansas City to start their life together. Throughout her career, she worked at Mendels Corp. doing piece work and was known as "Speedy". She worked at Woolf Brothers on the Plaza doing alterations, and retired from The Jones Store Co. at Metro North Mall.

Linda spent her years of retirement raising her grandchildren and doing alterations out of her home, which always included coffee and cookies at pickup time. She loved baking Italian cookies and was affectionately known as the "Cookie Boss". She never knew a stranger and her home was always open and the table always set for anyone who happened to walk in the door. Linda was a loving spouse, exceptional mother and grandmother to her family, and loyal friend to all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Antonio and Rosaria (Cesare) Renzino; grandson, Anthony Brancato; brother, Giacomo Renzino; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Guiseppe and Guiseppa Fontana, and Frank and Frances Occhipinti.

Survivors include her loving husband of 52 years, Saverio Maenza; children, Enza and Phil Brancato, Rosie and Mike Crawford, Joseph and Christy Maenza; grandchildren, Gabrielle and Linda Brancato, Michael and Nicholas Crawford, Rosemary and Sophia Maenza; sister-in-law, Giovanna Renzino; nieces and nephews, Rosie and Pasquale Caime, Enza and Dennis Haug, Maria D'Angelo, Anna and Joe Corpora, Enza and Nunzio Spinelli, Carlo and JoAnn Fontana; and many loved great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins and friends.

Pallbearers: Pasquale Caime, Carlo Fontana, Nunzio Spinelli, Joe Corpora, Dennis Haug, Tony Pollina, Joe Pollina, Louie Pollina.

A special thank you from our family to Dr. Gary Johnson and the staff of KU Cancer Center for the exceptional care and compassion shown to Linda.

Condolences may be offered at www.passantinobros.com.