Alison Rosell Smeltzer, 53, passed away peacefully on July 20th, 2020 after a courageous 16-month battle with pancreatic cancer. Alison enjoyed photography, scrap booking, volunteering at Church of the Ascension and Ascension Catholic School and St. James Academy, teaching at Colonial Presbyterian Child Development Center, and spending time with friends and her husband and seven children.
Alison was born in Wichita, Kansas, on February 26th, 1967, to Frank and Bobbe Rosell. She was the youngest of six. Alison graduated from Kapaun Mt. Carmel Catholic High School and went on to Newman University before earning a degree in Child Psychology from Pittsburg State.
Alison married Scott Smeltzer on April 6th, 1991. Alison and Scott raised seven wonderful children and the couple enjoyed teaching their Catholic faith to them. She became tirelessly involved in her children’s various activities. Alison was a family camp coordinator, Den Leader, Brownie Leader, and a proud theatre and soccer and football mom. Alison was named Kansas Mother of the Year in 2002. She attended countless theatre productions, choir concerts, athletic events, and scout meetings and ceremonies. She shared a unique relationship with each of her children and made them all feel loved and supported.
Her Catholic faith was incredibly important to Alison even at a young age. She enjoyed attending and leading retreats stretching all the way back to high school with Teens Encounter Christ. Alison initially started the Mothers of Young Children group at Ascension Parish, she and her husband were original members of the Stewardship Council there and they prepared new parents and their children for the Sacrament of Baptism. Alison and Scott also supported their seven children through Catholic education from grade school, high school and into college.
Alison was a loving, patient, and passionate daughter, sister, wife, and mother. Alison was welcoming and loyal. She was able to turn a stranger into a lifelong friend after just one conversation. She will be remembered for her powerful witness of faith and determination that has inspired so many people.
Alison is survived by her mother Bobbe Rosell, her brothers Kevin, Paul, Jeff, and Brian; her husband of almost 30 years, Scott, her daughters Sarah Wright (William) and Stephanie, her sons Stephen, Sam, Stratton, Skyler, and Scotty, and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and godchildren. Alison was preceded in death by her father, Frank, and her brother, Jimmy. May she rest in peace!
A public Rosary will be prayed at 9:30 a.m. followed by her Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, August 3, 2020, at the Church of the Ascension, 9510 W. 127th St. Overland Park, KS. Burial to follow at Resurrection Cemetery, Lenexa, KS. Visitation will be from 4-5:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 2, 2020, at the Porter Funeral Home, 8535 Monrovia Street. Lenexa, KS (The family will not be present.) In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions and donations to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, www.pancan.org/ and/or The Catholic Education Foundation