Mary Anne Baier

Mary Anne Baier, aged 96, peacefully left this world on May 11, 2025, surrounded by family members. A beloved daughter, sister, aunt and great-aunt Mary Anne will always be remembered for her strong independence and her engaging personality.

Born on January 22, 1929, in Kansas City, Kansas, to Michael and Delia Baier, Mary Anne was the youngest of four children. Her older siblings included Barbara Baier Nicks (William, Sr.), Betty Baier Charlton (Philip), and Michael Baier Jr. She grew up in Shawnee, Kansas, where she attended St. Joseph's grade and high school.

Professionally, Mary Anne successfully navigated the ‘Madmen Era’ to craft a life-long ‘commendation accumulating’ career in the accounting and credit departments of several notable companies. She worked for RB Jones Insurance for four years, General Electric for fourteen and a half years, and Trans World Airlines for fourteen and a half years.

Renowned for her sharp intellect and awareness of current events, Mary Anne engaged respectfully in conversations with everyone she met. Her passionate support for local sports teams and the Democratic Party was well-known, and she even ran for the Missouri House, although unsuccessfully. She loved owning and driving Camaros, competing in and winning chili contests, hosting lively New Year’s Day parties for her family, playing spirited poker games with her nieces and nephews, collecting and gifting Lladro art figurines, traveling with her nieces and great nieces as they reached their teen years, aiding the less fortunate at the Parkville Food Pantry, clipping and sharing her couponing treasures and serving as the Caenen family genealogist.

Mary Anne, universally known to family and friends as ‘Aunt Mary’ was an unwavering loyal cornerstone for her 18 nieces/nephews and their families. She is survived by those nieces/nephews and scores of great, great-great and great-great-great nieces and nephews who cherished her presence in their lives. She was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings, her brothers-in-law, and her niece, Becky Pierce Nicks.

Though she had no children of her own, ‘Aunt Mary’ was undoubtedly the matriarch of the family. She garnered immense respect from all who knew her, and her memory will be cherished by countless family members and friends who loved her. May she rest in peace.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Parkville Presbyterian Church Food Pantry. https://www.speacpantry.com/

A private graveside service will be held on May 31st at 10:00 followed by her Celebration of Life at 10:30 at the Knights of Columbus, 11221 Johnson Dr., Shawnee, KS 66203 – all are welcome.