Mary Lee Griffin, 80, of Kansas City, passed away under the care of Crossroads Hospice at her daughter’s home with her sister Sue and daughter by her side on March 27, 2017. Visitation Fri. March 31,10:30-11:30 a.m. at Heartland Burial Society, 6113 Blue Ridge Blvd. Raytown, MO. Graveside service following at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, 7601 Blue Ridge Blvd. Raytown, MO. Mary Lee was preceded in death by her parents Bill and Marie Baker, son Bill Griffin, brother Jerry Baker and in-laws Dorothy and Bill Rutherford. She is survived by her daughter Chris Alpert (Mark), grandchildren Kasey, Maya, and Johanna Alpert, brother Jim Baker (Alyce), sisters Sue Green and Margie Meyer (Mark), sisters in-law Barbara Baker, Mary Walker, Sharan Lesmeister (Dave), and 19 nieces and nephews.

Mary Lee graduated from Raytown High school and attended University of Central Missouri and UMKC. She enjoyed a lengthy career as executive secretary at Independence Regional Hospital and Sharp Hospital in San Diego, CA. Most importantly, spending time with friends, family, neices, nephews, and 3 grandkids were among her greatest joys. Mary Lee was an accomplished painter, writer, and poet and was involved for many years as a volunteer for the Raytown Historical Society. She was also quite an animal lover who could not overlook any stray or injured animal.

Mary Lee will be remembered for her love of baseball and dedication to the game. She began listening to the radio broadcast of the St. Louis Cardinals with Harry Caray announcing in the late 1940’s. She learned how to keep score, make her own score cards and claimed she never missed a game! She even dreamed of becoming a sports writer. Mary Lee created a notebook which was very special to her, specifically for her baseball memorabilia which held her score cards, articles, stats, and notes on various players. Her enthusiasm for the great game of baseball was infectious. And through the years of watching the Kansas City Royals with her son and daughter, they too were inspired by her knowledge and thus, another generation of baseball fans were being created by Mary Lee’s love of the game!

The family would like to express their sincere thanks to family, friends, and staff at Crossroads Hospice for all their kindness and support. We will never forget all the loving care shown to us by all.

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Cheryl (Jeffers) Asbury Allenbrand says

March 30, 2017 at 11:05 pm

My deepest sympathies to Mary Lee’s family. She was a kind and gentle soul…adored by anyone who knew her. If I ever had a sister I would want her to be just like Mary Lee. She was my friend and I loved her deeply. I will miss her as I know you all will, as well.

Mary Lee Griffin

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