Lea McNutt Patterson Veach

MCNUTT PATTERSON VEACH, LEA 97 December 25, 1927 – June 28, 2025 She was born Christmas Day to Charles "Charlie" and Lou Ella (Bailey) Evans in Gove County Kansas. Preceded in death by her parents; brothers Charles Keith Evans, twins Wayne and Duane Evans; husband Eugene "Gene" C. McNutt, who was the father of her children; sons Michael "Mike" McNutt, Theodore "Ted" McNutt; grandson Eric McNutt; nephew David P. Evans; niece Cynthina "Lynn" McNutt; husbands, Merle L. Patterson and Melvin Veach, Sr. Survived by her daughter, Jeanne Windham Warcholik and her husband, Ted; grandson, William David Windham; daughter-in-law, Debbie McNutt; sister-in-law, Mary Ann Evans; step grandson, Michael Warcholik; nephews and nieces; Brian Heath, Doug McNutt, Dale McNutt, Ann Thompson, Ken Evans, Dan Evans and Marcy O'Brien. Lifelong Educator and School Administrator, primarily with Wichita Public School System 1961 - 1988. She was an elementary school teacher, Assistant Principal at Kelly and Woodman elementaries, and School Principal at McCormick School. She especially enjoyed teaching Remedial Reading. She enjoyed reading herself in particular, Danielle Steel books. She eventually retired from teaching to care for her father. Lea was raised in Baptist and Methodist Churches. With her beautiful singing voice and perfect harmony, she was always appreciated in the church choir, or singing in the congregation. When attending churches while traveling, she would be approached after the church service by people saying, "we need you in our choir". She played many musical instruments, including piano, organ, cornet horn, and guitar. Her family and friends particularly enjoyed gathering around her playing the piano and all singing together. One of her daughters' childhood friends, says this was her own favorite childhood memory. Lea attended primary school in Gove, Kansas. She graduated from what was then Fort Hays State College where she majored in Education and minored in Music. While there, she was a proud member of the SAI music fraternity. Lea met Gene McNutt in college. They married in Hays and moved to Topeka, Manhattan, and Russell KS before moving to and settling in Wichita in 1960. In Wichita, she taught in the elementary school system and continued her education, earning a Master's degree from Wichita State University. She kept learning, furthering her education. She had enough hours for her Doctorate degree. However, she did not care to follow other steps in that process. During her summer breaks from school, she went to college, taught summer school, and was one of the first teachers to teach the Head Start Program in summer months when it began in 1965. She enjoyed traveling – domestically and internationally and did so extensively throughout the world. She and Gene drove to Canada from Hays, Kansas for their honeymoon. Her travels took her to all corners of our country and many places in between including Hawaii, Alaska, Las Vegas, California, Fort Lauderdale and Key West FL, Georgia, North Carolina, Washington DC, and New York as well as Mexico. She visited many areas of Europe. Her daughter enjoyed a Caribbean Cruise with her: "7 Ports In 7 Days" on the Cunard Countess Cruise Ship. Lea's last cruise was on the maiden voyage of the Queen Mary 2, January 12, 2004. During her time with Gene, they enjoyed traveling, singing, dancing, theater and listening to musical soundtracks such as Camelot and The Sound of Music. They were members of Mt. Olivet Methodist Church. Gene traveled internationally making new friends in foreign countries. He would invite them to visit their home in Wichita. Many of them did. So, at times, there were many fascinating people from other parts of the world in their home. Of course, their local friends would be invited to join in during the fun visits. Gene tragically passed away in a mid-air plane crash in 1968. Lea carried on, caring for her children and of course working and learning. During her marriage with Merle, they also enjoyed music (in particular jazz and blues), fine dining, dancing, travel, attending the Unity Church, and entertaining in their home which filled their lives with joy. In retirement she bought a second home in Florida while traveling there to see friends with Larry Gasaway. There she enjoyed the sunshine, soaking in her hot tub, making fresh juices from her many citrus trees, finding her sweet cat, Callie, tutoring her neighbor child and volunteering in the nearby elementary school to teach reading. She baked delicious cakes and made the best "Party Mix". She joined the Bell Choir at church and delivered meals with Meals on Wheels. With Habitat for Humanity, she joined a group of ladies that built a home – all by women. She also enjoyed socializing with dear friends and playing cards. When relaxing, you would find her playing Solitaire. She played with the same set of cards and said she would use them until she won a particularly difficult game (which she eventually did). In doing so, she wore out the middle sides of the cards in to a curved shape. A gentleman saw the cards and was so impressed he manufactured playing cards in that shape. There was a newspaper article about the interesting new playing cards. Lea loved to help people and volunteered often. One group was retired teachers who were helping to make McCormick School (where she was School Principal 1977 – 1983) in to a museum. During her 80's, she was married to Melvin Veach, Sr. They shared a love of music. They enjoyed entertaining at Senior Communities and would often joke that the place where they were entertaining might not let them leave, thinking they lived there. They also loved their sweet dog, Festus. When she was 90, she moved to Georgia to be with her daughter. Through the process of her declining health, she always had a sweet thing to say or a warm smile. When someone asked her how she was, she would say, "Better, now!", and give that sweet, sweet smile. Lea spread generosity, kindness, good cheer, love and happiness. She did whatever she could to make life better or more comfortable for those she encountered. She was humble, selfless and devoted to her loved ones. She had beautiful blue eyes, amazing white hair and the softest skin - truly beautiful inside and out. She loved well and was well loved The beautiful, natural Educator – teaching us by example of what a loving life is. Memorial Services will be held at Woodlawn United Methodist Church, 431 S. Woodlawn Blvd., Derby, KS 67037, on Sunday, July 20th 5:00PM. Memorial contributions for Lea Patterson can be mailed to: McCormick School Museum, PO Box 12881, Wichita KS 67277. 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