Dorothy M. Reece Kordash

Dorothy Kordash Obituary

Kordash, Dorothy M. Reece
82 of Prairie Village, Kansas died Wed. Jan. 27, 2010 in Scottsdale, AZ. Mrs. Kordash was born September 7, 1927, to Perle F. and Carrie Womach Reece in St Joseph, Missouri. She was preceded in death by her husband James A Kordash. Dorothy is survived by her sister Mary F. Nelson of Belton, Missouri and close family friends, the Lawson family. Dorothy worked for the Ford Motor Company in the Kansas City area for over 30 years, before retiring to follow her true calling - Art. Dorothy was one of America's top cutting edge artists in the field of contemporary conceptual art and painted in a wide variety of media including watercolor, acrylic, oil pastel, as well as collage and monotype. She attended schools and workshops in Canada, Great Britain, and many schools in the United States and exhibited in such national shows as, the Salmagundi Club, New York City, Patron's Watercolor Gala, Oklahoma City, Adam Art, Fowey, Great Britain, Oklahoma, Kansas Watercolor Society, Wichita Kansas, City Hall, Prairie Village, Kansas, Art-A-Fair, Laguna Beach California, as well as many regional and national shows in California, Arizona, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Colorado, Illinois, Arkansas, Texas, and New York State. Mrs. Kordash is a member of the American Business Women's Assoc., International Society of Experimental Artists, Kansas City Art Association, Kansas City Watercolor Society, Arizona Artist Guild, and the Sonoran Art League. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 6:00 p.m. Saturday, January 30th, in Scottsdale, AZ at The Arizona Fine Art Expo Booth #91 with all family, friends and fellow artists welcome. Funeral Services will be held at the Porter Funeral Home, Lenexa, KS, 12 noon, Tuesday, February 2nd. Burial will be in the Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Kansas City, MO. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions to an ALS Association Chapter or Hospice Organization of your choice. (Condolences may be expressed at www.porterfuneralhome.com )

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Published by The Arizona Republic on Jan. 30, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for Dorothy Kordash

13 Entries

Susan Keeton Malzahn

June 3, 2025

I do not know Dorothy personally, though I do have one of her paintings that I bought at our Riverfest Art and Book fair here in Wichita, Kansas river fest 20 to 25 years ago. I still have it in my dining room and its original cover. She was a wonderful artist in his inspired me with my art. My sincere condolences to her friends and family.

Linda Alioto

March 14, 2010

I'm so sorry to hear of Dorothy's passing. She had such a wonderful, playful spirit and enjoyed life to the max. I first met Dorothy when I was in my early teens. Her father, Paul Reece, married my mother, Lenore, in 1957. Dorothy and her sister, Mary, came to visit us in California and we hit it off immediately. My mother was an artist and had an art gallery at that time, and Dorothy leaped into the world of art with both feet and never looked back. She was such a talented lady and a real ball of energy. I will miss her more than I can say. Linda Alioto

Laurie Kordash-Dillon

February 18, 2010

I miss you Aunt Dorothy! Dorothy Kordash was an amazing woman and quite the role model. I always admired her talent in the art field but I especially will never forget her kindness towards me. As a child she made a point to come by and pick me up to go swimming with her at Kernodles. She was always so fit and beautiful. I know Uncle Jim is happy to have her back! She will be missed.

Vicki Jones Carroll

February 16, 2010

I have a painting that Dorothy painted for my grandmother, Martha Richards. It was handed down from Grandma to my dad, Elmer Jones, & now to me. I have been thinking of Dorothy & thought many times of trying to reach her. I am so sorry that I put this off too long. My sympathy to Mary and all Dorothy's friends that took such good care of her. I can remember when I was a little girl - my folks, grandparents & I stopped by her house. She had just finished adding a studio on the back of their house and I was so impressed with Dorothy and her talent and how kind she was to show me around & explain things to me. I can still see her. As we get older we realize, too late, how much you should stay in contact with family & friends. My love

February 6, 2010

Our family was shocked and saddened to hear of Dorothy's passing. We are so lucky to be living in the home that she and Jim once shared on Reinhardt Lane. What a lovely, sweet lady she was! We are thankful to have known her, even briefly. ~The Eldred Family; Mike, Jenny, Hannah, Callie and Cade

Ronald Shoemaker

February 6, 2010

Dorothy was one of a kind. I met Dororthy first as a neighbor and then as a good friend. After her husband Jim passed away I started driving her from Prarie Village to Scottsdale and then back again. If I remember one thing about Dororthy will be her fantastic appetite she had. She will be deeply missed by all of those who knew her but she is back with Jim painting for him again.

Norma Herring

February 2, 2010

Dorothy was a truly special person who I got to know years ago when we were both in Art Images Gallery in Westport (now Images Art Gallery). She was inspiring and shared many tips with me to help me paint better watercolors. She also gave me some personal advice that really helped me when I was going through some sad times and it meant a great deal to me. She will be missed greatly by the art community here in the KC area. It will NOT be the same without her in the local shows. Sincerely....Norma Herring, Leawood, KS.

Claudette Barker

February 1, 2010

Dorothy and I were friends through art shows and art associations in the Kansas City area over the past 20 years. She was a wonderfully kind and caring person and an incredible artist. My thoughts and prayers are with the family at this difficult time.

Jamie Lavin

February 1, 2010

I was a very young guy, coming up through the ranks in the local art scene, in Kansas City, working for galleries and frame shops. Dorthy always found where I was, and would occasionally want me to help her with framing ideas. When I decided to go into art full time, she took time to advise me, and sold her old tent and weights to me, which I still use at every outdoor event I do! a very outgoing lady and had a memory- she remembered the small watercolor paintings she had done & I'd purchased from her years ago, when Janet & I were first married. There are voids in life that we simply cannot fill, and one in mine will be that of Dorthy and her fine personality. Dorthy was a model of a great competitor and won many awards. She was very talented, and forged on with her work even after Jim passed. Many thanks to everyone who helped her get to the shows; particularly her neighbors- seeing to it she attended the Westport Show here in KC; helping her set it all up and tear it down. Patrons seldom see the effort we put out to engage, exhibit and sell our works. Dorthy was so very professional, and no matter how she felt, or what was wrong, she was always thinking of the other artists, or the patron and their needs. For me, she was my "aunt to be named later" and so very kind to me. We all hugged her before they finished loading up at Westport, and my Dad took her to the airport the next day.
She was one of the few who never held back- she would answer any question I had about her art, how she did whatever she was working on, and we traded secrets on how & why some things worked, and what did not. In Kansas City, she will be missed for the work she did and sold, but also how she brought patrons and artists alike, to her booth, to her art, and into her heart.

Jamie Lavin, Director
Buttonwood Art Space- KCMO

Mary Zuniga

February 1, 2010

I fixed Dorothy's hair for over thirty five years. I can say she was a "loyal customer". I started doing her hair in Kansas City, KS at the age of eighteen. When I moved to Blue Springs, MO I continued to do her hair every week. Rain or sleet Dorothy kept her standing appointment. I was fortuante to know her as a customer, artist and friend. Thank you for letting me do your hair for the last time. Rest in Peace.

Charlotte Sanchez (Lopez)

February 1, 2010

I have known Dorothy for years since I was a little girl through my sister who was her hair dresser. Dorothy was always so nice and kind. She even knew everyone in our family and when I moved to Ariozna I stayed in touch with her. She will be missed greatly by everyone in our family and all of my brothers and sisters send their condolences to her family and close friends. Charlotte Sanchez (Lopez)

Bob Barnett

January 31, 2010

I remember Mrs. Kordash, as a paasionate and caring lady. Always giving me good advice. I still have her picture of the
75th anniversary of Ford that she did for me on my wall. (6/16/78) She is truly painting for our Lord now...

Ralph Rossborough

January 30, 2010

Dorothy was a remarkable lady. I was fortunate to be a close neighbor and good friend to her in Scottsdale Arizona. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Ralph Rossborough

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