Kathleen Flynn Mendenhall

Kathleen Flynn Mendenhall, born on February 16, 1947, in Marceline, MO passed away peacefully Friday, February 7, 2025 after battling complications from a hip fracture sustained last autumn. She was the daughter of the late James and Betty Flynn and was also preceded in death by her beloved sister, Dr. Mary Felice Flynn.
Kathleen, also known as "Kathy, Ms. Mendenhall, Ms. Mendy, and Mendenhall," was a gifted student and, having been moved up a grade, found her calling early. After graduating high school in her hometown of Marceline, MO, she went on to receive her Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from Avila University. From there, she began her career as an art teacher at Paseo High School (at just 21 years old!), where she would remain for the next 35 years.
Throughout her tenure at Paseo, Kathleen played an instrumental role in the young lives of students-both individually and collectively. She served countless times as a class sponsor, helping each class fundraise with boundless energy, often volunteering her own artistic craft as merchandise (Students from the 80s, who didn't have a personalized mirror?!). She also served as yearbook advisor. In this role, Kathleen attended most school events, documenting them with her trusty Nikon.
Kathleen thought of her students as extensions of her family, often helping them out as if they were her own children Her sense of duty toward her students was inspiring, as washer ever-present acknowledgment of the injustice and lack of fairness her students experienced. In the 80s and early 90s, she served on a statewide committee that crafted the vision for the magnet program, supporting desegregation efforts throughout the Kansas City Public School system-ultimately turning Paseo into a leading fine and performing arts institutio
n.
Kathleen opened doors for her students they didn't know existed-from the art world itself, to local and national awards, to college admission, or even a simple act of inclusion, acceptance, or belonging. She modelled the behaviors she wanted to see in her students-setting a goal, working hard, achieving that goal-by earning her Master's degree while still working full time. In doing so, she was able to start teaching part-time at her alma mater, Avila University, and at Johnson County Community College as an Adjunct Professor (in addition to teaching full-time at Paseo!).
Kathleen "retired" after 35 years of service at Paseo after the love of her life, her grandchild Emma, was born, and she became primary caregiver. But once a teacher, always a teacher and Kathleen resumed teaching part-time at Avila and Johnson County in addition to taking care of Emma. Kathleen continued teaching college-level art for the next 15 years, until her family finally convinced her to retire! Never one to sit idly by, Kathleen spent her retirement always on the go with her friends, family, and former students.
Her light shone bright so she could lead the way. Now it's up to those who remain to pick up the torch and continue on.
Kathleen is survived by her husband, Bruce Mendenhall, daughter Amy Mendenhall Mansfield, son-in-law Dan Mansfield, grandchild Emma Eklund, and their partner Morgan Eklund. She also leaves behind brother Kevin Flynn, sister-in-law Genevieve Flynn, and niece Marissa Starke, as well as close cousins and family members whom she loved dearly.
Kathleen didn't want her family to have a funeral. She wanted "a party." So, to honor her wishes, the family will be hosting a party on Saturday, March 15, 2025 from 2-4 at the Kansas City Artists Coalition. Formal dress is NOT required. In lieu of flowers, the family requests consideration of a donation to The Marsha P. Johnson Institute or Breakthrough T1D (formerly known as Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) in her name.