Jeanette's obituary
Jeanette H. Wallingford (née Wehrli) passed away on December 17, 2022, at age 104.
She leaves behind her two sons: Thomas "Tom" (Priscilla) Wallingford and Craig (Dorinda) Wallingford; four grandchildren: David (Stefny) Wallingford, Kimberly (Andrew) Pittman, Lindsay Scarr, and Nick (Chelsea) Wallingford; nine great-grandchildren, including Reagan and McKenna Pittman, Jessica and Ryan Wallingford, Ava and Lucas Scarr.
Jeanette was born April 7, 1918, to Etta (née Swift) and Carl Wehrli in St. Louis, Missouri. She was the oldest of their four daughters. After graduating from Maplewood Richmond Heights High School, Jeanette went to the Rubicon Secretarial School in St. Louis and became Secretary to the Principal at her former high school. Her next position was Secretary to the Station Manager for American Airlines at St. Louis Lambert Airport. It was during her time at American Airlines that Jeanette met John Wallingford. They were married on October 24, 1942, and moved to Kansas City, Missouri.
Jeanette and John "Wally” lived most of their 56 years together in Leawood, Kansas; Wally died on February 27, 1999. Jeanette enjoyed being a mother and grandmother and was a consummate host. When Wally had his two Baskin-Robbins stores, she happily assisted with many duties, including bookkeeping and laundry. If you visited the Wallingfords, you could guarantee they would serve Baskin-Robbins ice cream!
Jeanette loved having company over and always greeted guests with a smile. Her home was kept spotless; she had a green thumb, enjoying time out in her garden with plants and flowers. Jeanette valued the Kansas City area and looked forward to the changing seasons, with Spring her favorite. She cherished birthdays, celebrations, and gathering together for the holidays. Jeanette and Wally enjoyed golfing, traveling, and being with family. Jeanette made delicious Christmas cookies, pies, and drank piping hot black coffee. Card games were a staple at the Wallingford house. Jeanette was a skilled bridge player and only stopped playing when hearing loss prevented it.
She was a survivor of colon cancer and several pandemics - notably the 1918 Flu concurrent with her birth and Covid-19 over 100 years later.
Jeanette was a long-time member of the Village Presbyterian Church in Prairie Village, Kansas, and sang in their choir.
The family feels blessed to have had so many years with Jeanette, affectionately referred to as "little mother" by Priscilla.
Thank you for Jeanette's life, and all the years we shared with her. We lift her to you, in honor of the good we saw in her and the love we felt from her. Please give us the strength to leave her in your care, in the knowledge of eternal life through Jesus Christ.