Eleanor Kinkaid

Mary Eleanor Geist Kinkaid passed away peacefully on August 20, 2021 and is rejoicing alongside those who have gone before us. She was a bright presence of endless gratitude and joy, who loved unconditionally. She had a smile that conveyed pure happiness and acceptance with everyone she met. Confident in her relationship with God and her identity as a child of God, she saw others in that same light. Born May 4, 1921 in Wichita, Kansas to Ola Eleanor Wallace and Floyd William Geist, Eleanor radiated love, positivity, warmth, grace, beauty, and joy.  She attended Wichita High School East and Wichita State University. During World War II, she served as a flight director for Braniff Airways and took great pride in supporting our brave soldiers overseas, especially a certain US Navy lieutenant stationed on a ship in the Pacific Ocean. On May 22, 1943, Eleanor married her high school and college sweetheart, Tom Kinkaid. Tom and Eleanor shared a deep love and enduring partnership while celebrating over 70 years together.

An active member of her community, Eleanor was a longtime board member and state president of Kansas State YWCA, and later as assistant executive director and public relations director of Wichita YWCA. She was also a board member of Wichita Children’s Home, served as president of Wichita P.E.O. Council (member of Chapter DJ since 1961), and volunteered as a reader for Wichita Radio Reading Service. Her membership to civic organizations included Kansas Council of Women, Present Day Club, and Thursday Afternoon Cooking Club. A devoted lifelong Christian Scientist, Eleanor was a member of Second Church of Christ, Scientist in Wichita since 1937. She started out every day the same way she ended it, by glorifying and thanking God.

Preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Tom, granddaughter, Ashley O’Rourke, and her two brothers, William and Merle Geist, Eleanor is survived by her three children and their spouses, Tom Kinkaid (Mary), Susan Williams (Joel), and Marcia Smola (Richard), seven grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews, all of whom adored their loving “Gigi.” She delighted in giving each and every family member constant love and encouragement, and she never let long distance get in the way of making others feel special.

The family would like to especially thank and acknowledge Trina Hand and the staff at Larksfield Place for their attentive and tender care during Eleanor’s last years, for which she was always most grateful.

There will be a private family celebration of her life. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ashley Lynn O’Rourke Charitable Foundation, PO Box 49392, Wichita, KS, 67201. This foundation has provided academic scholarships for 25 years. Share condolences at www.cozine.com. Arrangements by Cozine Memorial Group-Broadway Mortuary.