Kathy Maganza

Kathryn Mary (O’Toole) Maganza, 75, passed away Monday, December 15, 2025. Kathy was born on May 3, 1950 in Springfield, Missouri to Glenn and Lois (Wempner) O’Toole. Kathy took her last breath at home with her loving husband, David, by her side. Kathy lived her life well. She was creative, kind, curious, loving and faithful. She filled her days with people, books, creative arts and as much travel as her husband and budget would allow.

Kathy was a skilled textile artist. She taught herself to knit, crochet, sew and quilt. She used her skills to bless others from mending heirloom quilts to blessing her grandchildren with handmade baby blankets. She also volunteered her talents sewing dresses and pants for the “Dress A Girl” charity. Kathy always had a sewing room full of fabric and thread, patterns and projects.

Additionally, Kathy loved to travel. She and her husband traveled to all 50 U.S. states as well as 30+ countries on four continents. She always had plans for another cruise, vacation or adventure as there was so much left to see.

Kathy loved people, especially her family and friends. She was faithfully and happily married to her husband, David, for 50 years. She was a natural mother nurturing her two children, first as mom and then as friend. She adored her three grandchildren attending as many sporting events, school events, piano recitals, choir concerts, birthday parties and whatever else they had going on as long as she was able. She was also a great friend keeping in touch with those she loved from her days in St. Louis and Denver to new friends she quickly made in Wichita at church, bible study, book club, taco Tuesday, and any other community, musical or social event she could swindle her husband into taking her to. Even as she fell ill and up to the last few months of her life she was always interested in her people. Her weekend marathon phone conversations with her best friend Sandy were legendary and sweet.

Finally, Kathy loved the Lord. Her favorite verse was Psalm 73, specifically verses 25 and 26, “Whom have I in heavens but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire beside you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” It’s as if this was written specifically for her. Amyloidosis took her flesh, her breath and her heart but her faith never wavered. The Lord was her strength and her portion. She is finally healed, healthy and worshiping in heaven with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Kathy was preceded in death by her parents, Glen and Lois. She is survived by her loving husband of 50 years, David Maganza; daughter and son-in-law, Angie and Jason Schmidt; son, Joel Maganza; grandchildren, Anna Schmidt, Alice Schmidt, Ethan Schmidt; brother-in-law, Dennis Maganza; and many cousins and extended family members.

The memorial service celebrating Kathy’s life will be at 10:00am, Monday, December 29, at the Cozine Life Events Center. The memorial will be followed by a reception for all family and friends. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Kathy’s memory to the Amyloidosis Research Consortium or the Amyloidosis Center at Boston University School of Medicine.