Allison McClure Cheesebrough

Allison McClure Cheesebrough, 61, of Overland Park Kansas passed away peacefully earlier this year. Though born in Lawrence, Kansas, Allison spent her formative years raised in Warrensburg, Missouri by her father Arthur F. McClure II, a history professor, and her mother Judith H. McClure, an early childhood educator. Allison was fondly regarded as the "smartest and funniest" of the four children by her sister, Amy and two brothers, Kyle and Sam. Her mother was very wise and delegated the holiday baking to Allison at the tender age of ten, where she thrived, then was highly revered throughout her life for her baking, especially for her sugar cookies.

After graduating from Warrensburg High School, Allison completed her undergraduate degree in English and Sociology from William Jewell College. During this time, she completed an international studies program at Harlaxton College in England which allowed her to travel Europe extensively. After graduation, she completed her paralegal certification from William Jewell, and Masters in Science Degree in Gerontology from Central Missouri State University (UCM). During her graduate studies, she coauthored several published articles with her father.

Allison's professional career included working as a legal assistant and records supervisor, and working as a social worker for the State of Missouri Division of Aging. However, she felt her biggest accomplishment in life was being the mother of her two beloved children, Samuel and Abby Cheesebrough. She actively and happily volunteered throughout the years for the American Cancer Society, and her children's sport clubs and schools. If a bake sale or raffle was involved, it was guaranteed her items would sell first helping it to be a successful fundraiser.

Allison was a lifelong learner, writer, avid reader, and jigsaw puzzler. She loved and was loved for sharing her passion for baking, cooking and laughing in her kitchen amongst family and friends. She was not fan of modern technology, yet still appreciated the feeling of holding a book and turning the page, as well as expressing herself through paper and pen.

Allison was survived by her loving children Samuel Cheesebrough and Abby Cheesebrough, brother Kyle (Jennifer) McClure and sister Amy (Fritz) McClure Swearingen. She was preceded in death by her brother Steven McClure, and her parents Judith and Arthur McClure.

In typical first born fashion, Allison has planned a private service at a later date. In lieu of flowers, she has asked for donations to support the following organizations: Johnson County Library, Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, Johnson County Rehab. It was important to Allison for people to know she lived her life by the following the wisdom of Martin Luther King and encouraging them to do the same, "If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way."