Margery Adeana McClacherty
Margery Adeana McClacherty
Margery Adeana McClacherty at the age of 96 peacefully passed away on April 27, 2024. She was a beloved wife, mother, and a friend to many who knew her.
Margery was born on September 10, 1927, in Bellingham, Washington; daughter of the late Guy William and Margery Alberta (Briscoe) Johnson.
Margery was united in marriage to James (Jim) Albert McClacherty, Sr., on June 14, 1947, at Aberdeen, Washington. They shared over 59 years together. When they had their 50th anniversary they took their family on a trip to Missouri to celebrate. She was a loyal companion to her husband and was always by his side.
She and James moved to Kansas from Washington soon after they were married and lived in Topeka and other surrounding towns before moving to Council Grove in 1967. She worked at Duckwalls as a book-keeper for 20 years until retirement at 65 years old. She helped Jim with his gardens. She made sure there were flowers growing wherever she lived.
She and Jim took many trips together including two trips to Great Brittian and Canada. Margery was a strong woman and after retirement she became ill with stage four cancer and with many treatments she beat it and went into remission for the rest of her life. In 2003 she and Jim moved back to Topeka. Exercise was important to her. She took up Tai Chi for exercise for many years and also taught sometimes. She loved to get out and walk her dog Maggie and visit with many people living in her housing area. It was hard for her to get to socialize later because of her Macular Degeneration that she already had for several years which impaired her vision. But that didn’t stop her from using her phone to call friends. She joined a calling service by Catholic Charities called Ring-A-Day where she made many friends and helped brighten their day when they weren’t doing so well themselves. She had a positive attitude and was compassionate about helping and comforting other people. She tried to attend every function or graduation of her children and grandchildren. In May 2023 due to health issues she had to move to Rolling Hills Retirement Community where she lived until her passing. On September 30, 2018 Margery was baptized in Christ!
Survivors include her loving children, Judith Ann Reich of Snoho- mish, Washington; Janis Carol Astle (Arthur) of Claremore, Oklahoma, and James Albert McClacherty, Jr. (Susan) of Topeka, Kansas; grandchildren, Kevin Billings (Pam), Craig Billings, William Kyle Prochazka (Leidy), Aaron Matthew Mc-Clac-herty Smalter (Rachel), Colin Wade McClacherty Smalter, Staten James McClacherty, and Cameron Evan McClacherty; great-grandchildren, Kaylen, Tyler, Khadijah, Isa, Ruqayyah, Angelica, Swabrina, Nico, Lark and two Great great grandchildren. Also brother, Lauren Johnson; and sister-in-law, Juanita McClacherty.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband, James; daughter, Margery Kathleen Prochazka; her parents; sister, Marilyn Buckley, half-sisters, Virginia Barnes and Maxine Booher, sister-in-laws, and brother-in-laws.
A visitation for family and friends will be held from 5-6 p.m., Monday May 6, at Sawyer Funeral Home. Graveside services will be at 1 p.m., Tuesday May 7, at Sunny Slope Cemetery.