Margaret H. Ackley, Age: 97
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Aug 30, 1925---Dec 20, 2022

Margaret Hungerford Ackley passed away peacefully at Lakeview Village in Lenexa KS on December 20, 2022.  She is preceded in death by her husband, H. Clayton Ackley (03/27/1998), a daughter Sandra Ackley Carter (12/20/1987) and her sister Marcia Perlee (04/17/2017)

 

Margaret was born on August 30, 1925 to Alma and Isaac Hungerford in Watervliet, New York, attended Altamont High School and remained in the New York area until her marriage in 1964.  Throughout the years Margaret served as secretary/administrative assistant to college professors and business CEO’s.

Upon retirement and the death of her husband, Margaret sought a new meaning for her life.  In addition to serving at her church, St. Marks United Methodist Church, she began volunteering at Cross-Lines Community Outreach, recently completing 20+ years in that capacity.

While Margaret always had God close to her heart, during this part of her life she found a closeness with God that gave her the strength to embrace her faith and spend the rest of her life helping others; through Cross-Lines, St. Marks, and beyond.  Her dedication to helping people through love and action defined the later part of her life as she sought to understand how faith and caring could allow her to always lend a helping hand to those less fortunate than she.  While she did not want recognition, these efforts were recognized by all who knew her and in 2013 the United Way of Wyandotte County awarded Margaret the Volunteer of the Year Award on behalf of Cross-Lines and in 2017 Cross-Lines awarded Margaret with the Don Bakely Humanitarian Award during their annual Cross-Lines fundraising gala.  In 2014 the Kansas City Royals recognized her as a Buck O’Neil Legacy Seat Honoree at Kauffman Stadium for her work in the community. 

That the Royals should commemorate her life’s work was fitting because she was a passionate sports fan; from her early games of baseball with her sons (with only one eye a challenge to be sure), to following Kansas Jayhawks baseball in Lawrence, Kansas and on the road during the early 1980’s, and later becoming an ardent supporter of Kansas Jayhawks basketball and her Kansas City Royals.  Watching these games gave her great comfort for many years and she cheered them on right to the end of her life.

Most important to Margaret was her family, she leaves many behind, but the love for her remains and none will forget her.  She travelled much during her later life to visit family; whether in the USA from east coast to the west coast, to travel abroad to England, Paris, or the Caribbean to be with family, to parasail next to her son in Mexico while celebrating the wedding of one of her many grandchildren, and on her last trip to share Thanksgiving with family…looking for dolphins in the Gulf of Mexico.  Margaret loved adventure and even more so when it involved being with friends and family and sharing their lives and adventures together.

Survivors include two sisters; Jean Krull of Altamont, New York and Barbara Leahy (Jack) of Summerfield, Florida, two daughters; Kathryn Pirman (Skip) of Woodside, California and Linda Diesem of Mokelumne Hill, California, five sons; Jon Diesem (Suzanne) of Saratoga Springs, New York, Timothy Ackley (Susan) of Portland, Oregon, Gregory Ackley (Pat) of Naples, Florida, Christopher Ackley of London, England and Geoffrey Ackley (Jane) of Kansas City, Missouri.  She also leaves 15 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren.

A Memorial Service/Celebration of Life will be held at a later date at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, 6422 Santa Fe Drive, Mission, Kansas 66202.  In lieu of flowers, financial donations may be sent to St. Mark’s United Methodist Church or to Cross-Lines Community Outreach at 736 Shawnee Avenue, Kansas City, KS 66105. (Or donate on-line at Home : Cross-Lines Community Outreach)

The family wishes to express its appreciation to the staff and nurses from Kansas City Hospice and Palliative Care for their compassion and caring during Margaret’s final days.

Margaret’s ashes will be spread at the Ackley Family Farm in Pawlet, Vermont later this year.


Condolences

Gwen Howard Jan 01, 2023

Church friend ,Overland Park ,Kansas

There are not enough great words to describe Margaret. If there was ever an angel on earth- she would be the first in line! It was such a privilege to know Margaret. We enjoyed a few Royals games together also!

Sharon Ebert Jan 01, 2023

Friend ,Lenexa ,Kansas

My husband, David, and I loved Margaret. We worked with her for 5 years as volunteers at Cross-Lines. She always had a smile on her face and was eager to make anyone's day better. Please be sure to let us know when you schedule her celebration of life. We would like to attend.

Geoffrey Ackley Jan 02, 2023

Son ,Kansas City ,Missouri

Our family appreciates the thoughts and memories that have been shared with us in various ways. As I am tending to her estate one concern I have is that I will be unable to connect with everyone she touched over her beautiful life so they can attend her Celebration of Life / Memorial Service (probably in June). If you have interest in attending please leave your condolences here or email us at whiteymo@mindspring.com and at jmannkc@aol.com. When a date and time have been scheduled for the Celebration we will let everyone know. Again, thank you for all the beautiful thoughts, memories, and kind messages about her compassion, acceptance, and service to others.

Sharon Taviana Jan 02, 2023

Friend ,Lenexa ,Kansas

Margaret was a mentor to me when I moved to Lakeview. She was a kind and caring person. She will be missed and remembered. I will miss our walks around the lake.

Tim Leahy Jan 03, 2023

Cousin ,Sandston ,Virginia

Dear Ackley Family, I'm praying for you all as you mourn the passing of Peg. I was blessed to read about Peg's faith and service to our Lord. May God richly bless you as you celebrate Peg's life and follow in her footsteps. Blessings, Tim Leahy

Rob Santel Jan 04, 2023

Cross-Lines Staff ,Kansas City ,Kansas

Margaret Ackley has planted a garden of tender memories in the hearts of each of us who have worked at Cross-Lines. Her gentle smile and dedication to those we serve inspired HOPE in all of us. There is one client we serve that has always been special to Margaret. As Margaret was no longer able to volunteer regularly, we still maintained contact and every time I spoke with her she always asked about this client and wanted me to pass along that Margaret had been praying for her. For years I’ve been the messenger. In November I was able to share with Margaret that this client for whom she’s been praying for for years was no longer homeless. On December 20th, this client came into the office at the end of the day. She had just lost her housing due to a fire and extreme weather was coming in so we put her in a hotel for a week. We later found out this was the day of Margaret’s passing. When I shared this news with the client yesterday, with tears streaming down her face she said, “she’s my guardian angel.” It was an honor to serve alongside Margaret Ackley. She will be missed.

Bruce Parker Jan 04, 2023

Friend and Cross-Lines Board Member ,Overland Park ,Kansas

My wife, Candace, and I loved Margaret. Her smile and spirit were contagious on the Board. She always helped to keep us focused on what our mission should be and what our action steps should be. Our prayers to her family. God bless you all.

Doug Sharpe Jan 12, 2023

Worked together at Group One Architect from 1991 - 1998 ,Shawnee ,Kansas

So sad to hear of Margaret’s passing. I had the honor of working with her from 1991 to 1998 at a small architecture firm in Westport, KCMO. I loved her feisty personality and her love of sports! We spent many hours talking about how to make the office run more efficiently and how to “fix” the Royals! But as a K-Stater we always had great debates about our college sports rivalry. Miss those times! Margaret kept us well supplied with home made treats at the office and was our mother hen taking care of us. We loved her passion and frank opinions about life! Around 2015 after I had long departed Group One, I ran into her at Lakeview village where my 2 daughters acted as servers in the dining room and my Mom also lived there at Southside. It was great getting to catch up and learn about all of her volunteering. She never could sit still. What a beautiful way to use that energy. I’m so thrilled to learn about her Buck O’Neil seat honor?! What a thrill that must have been for her as a long time fan!! Please let us all know when the celebration of life will be so I can attend and honor a great lady! Thank you. Doug Sharpe.