MARY JOHANNA BAX METZ

1938 - 2016

Mary was born in Springfield, MO on September 9, 1938 to Lawrence Bax and Elizabeth Wyrsch Bax. She died peacefully with family at her side at Kansas City Hospice House on Monday evening, July 18, 2016. After moving to Kansas City, Mary graduated from St. Mary's Grade School, Bishop Hogan High School and Avila University with an education degree. She then taught at St. Elizabeth School, Hickman Mills School and later at St. Fabian School in Farmington Hills, Michigan. She married the love of her life, Roger Metz, in 1964 and they celebrated their 50th golden anniversary in 2014. In 1965, Mary moved with Roger to Houston, TX where he held a senior management position at MD Anderson Cancer Center. Subsequently, they moved to Grand Rapids, MI, Springfield, MO, Farmington Hills, MI, and returned to Kansas City in 1985 where he completed his management career at Menorah Medical Center and Truman Medical Center. During these career years with Roger, she was very active in volunteer activities with schools, churches and hospital auxiliaries. A superb hostess, she prepared many meals for family and friends and was renowned for her cowboy cookies. While still in Michigan, Mary completed her master's degree in gifted education from Michigan State University. After moving back to Kansas City, she served 19 years as Coordinator of Gifted Education with the Grandview School District. Upon her retirement, she was recognized as "Championing, Advocating for, and Teaching Gifted Education." She is survived by her husband, Roger, daughter Molly Metz Kurt and son-in-law John Kurt of Park Ridge, IL, daughter Jennifer Metz Maxwell and son- in-law Brian Maxwell of Edmond, OK, and son Roger Metz, Jr. and daughter-in-law Monica Davis Metz of Littleton, CO. Her ten "Royal" grandchildren include Caroline, John Patrick, Michael and Thomas Kurt; Elizabeth, Charles and Henry Maxwell; and William, Andrew and Katherine Metz. Her five brothers include twin brother Larry Bax of Richardson, TX, Tom Bax of Leawood, KS, Frank Bax of Arlington, VA, John Bax of Incline Village, NV and Steve Bax of Denver, CO. She is also survived by four sisters-in-law, numerous nephews and nieces, and many cousins. Mary's deceased parents were Lawrence and Elizabeth Bax. Her son Patrick Joseph Metz and her granddaughter, Mary Grace Kurt, both died shortly after birth. The family also remembers Mary's deceased nephew, Jason Bax, and niece Janet Bax. Her services will be held Saturday morning, July 23, 2016 at St. Michael the Archangel Parish, in Leawood, KS with the visitation starting at 9:30 AM and the Rosary being prayed at 10:30 AM. The Funeral Mass will be at 11:00 a.m. with a luncheon following in Porter Hall at the Church. Burial will be at Mt. Olivet in Kansas City, MO after the luncheon. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Kansas City Hospice House, St. Michael the Archangel Parish, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Ladies of Charity or the charity of choice. The family wishes to acknowledge the kind and compassionate end-of-life care provided by Dr. Jay Riseman and the staff of the Kansas City Hospice House. (Condolences may be expressed at: www.porterfuneralhome.com Arrangements: Porter Funeral Homes & Crematory, 8535 Monrovia, Lenexa, KS (913) 438- 6444) P