Linda Ann Tolley

Linda Ann Tolley Sweet Sister, Daughter, Aunt & Friend, Linda Tolley passed away on February 12, 2019. Linda was born on August 3, 1948 to Max & Evelynn Tolley, the third child of seven in the family. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Robert Douglas Tolley and Philip Steven Tolley. Survivors include brother, Jim Tolley and wife Alana Monico, Oregon; brother, Dan (Kim) Tolley; sisters, Mary Kathleen (Manuel) Mendoza, Teresa (Mel) Greenman all of Wichita; many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be from 5:00 – 7:00 pm, Thursday, February 21, 2019; Funeral Service will be at 11:00 am, Friday, February 22, 2019, both at Downing & Lahey East Mortuary. Burial will follow at White Chapel Cemetery. A memorial has been established with KETCH, 1006 E. Waterman, Wichita, KS 67211. Please add Linda Tolley and Osage Program in memo line, if writing a check. Linda was a sweet soul and a social butterfly. She knew no strangers. Linda attended St. Anthony School, Roosevelt and East High Special Ed classes. She went on to Starkey for vocational training.  John Frye, who was a teacher then and later the Executive Director helped Linda as much as she was able to learn. They have stayed in contact through the years and have remained friends. She lived in a group home with Patsy and Betty McCune in Derby for 40 years. They were a family attending Derby Assembly of God church there, going on long vacations as often as they could, doing crafts, taking some Arts classes at the Rec Center and of course, reading. She loved to read and it didn’t matter what type of book. Linda enjoyed all the activities at her Church and the congregation was very gracious and supportive. She would often invite family members from Wichita to Church dinners, programs and special services. We moved Linda to Wichita to a ResCare group home and day services in 2011 due to increasing issues with Diabetes. My brother, Philip and I became guardians for Linda to direct her health care and ensure we could care for her here. Linda enjoyed Horse Therapy for several months one Winter. That was a great experience!  She changed day programs to KETCH, Encore program which was focused on Senior Clients and loved it. They had outings almost daily, going to the Zoo, helping at the Lord’s Diner, visiting Ks Humane Society (Linda’s favorite) volunteering at Botanica, going out to lunch or shopping. These were just a few of the outings. There were always fun activities to do at Encore inside and out, Arts, making seasonal decorations, painting pictures, other crafty projects, baking and cooking, walks outside in the park. Viola Price at KETCH was always gracious, kind and supportive. Linda call her “my 2nd Mom” Many thanks to you! During this time in Life she enjoyed the Wichita Eagle and would share articles out loud to her peers sometimes whether they wanted to hear it or not!!Linda read the job ads every Sunday and ALL the store ads which she would collect under her bed until Staff helped her empty it. She loved all things paper, stationery, envelopes, index cards, pens, pencils, folders, notebooks. Linda might have been a teacher or a boss in another life as she always wanted to work on a project or presentation or tell others what to do! Linda was a member of Rivercrest Community Church for many years. She was graciously accepted, loved and encouraged in her walk of Faith. Pastor John Hull and wife, Lyna visited Linda in the hospital donning paper suits, masks, gloves as she had a contagious condition. She was so pleased to have Pastor’s prayer and happy to have the unexpected visit. Most folks would have turned away at the door and declined the visit. Linda loved the church and was enthusiastic in her singing and not shy about her worship! She was joyful when she was at church and often visited Newspring with us and loved the 530 service on Saturdays. The last few years have been complicated with Linda’s struggle with Diabetes. We were able to keep her off insulin until a year ago. Even with Tresiba injections reduced carbs, more vegetables, fruits, nuts, specific Diabetic meals, Dr visits every other month, the blood sugars continued to spike frequently. Dr Sarah Stokes and Dr Tiffany Chen at St. Francis Family Practice along with the ladies at the reception desk, Nancy, Amanda, (Denise who just retired last year), nurses with the Green Team, Angela, Coordinator and the Lab ladies were always gracious, kind, caring and patient. ResCare staff, Ginger Rosen who was Linda’s “mama” as she called her, has cared and loved her all the years Linda was in this group home. It was her home along with her 3 roommates who also helped by being supportive and caring of Linda. Ginger was Linda’s “rock” guiding her, ensuring her safety and health even when Linda didn’t want it. She helped Linda understand and was always gracious, supportive yet firm when necessary. I always told ResCare management they needed to clone Ginger! Also, Amy Harris who was House Supervisor was a Godsend during a large portion of this last year.  Much thanks go to ResCare health services staff, especially Suzanne and Maurice in the past and Heather Pickens currently. They were my backup and “had my back’ in dealing with Linda’s health issues. May God Bless You All for the passion you bring to work daily!!! Finally, Kudos to Linda’s 1st case manager w/ the ARC, Lyndon Boggs who guided me through the maze of admission to group home and services back in 2011. He was super nice and so calm and Linda loved it when he would check on her. Next, Erin Koochel was her ARC case manager and she was great, informative, caring especially in the last few years when Life was getting more complicated. Thanks to Kim Rogers, with the ARC who planned the local outings to Wichita Events, concerts, sports, the rodeo and there was always the Mystery Tour which was a day trip. Linda had fun on these outings and liked meeting new peers on the trip. Also, Melissa Daniels our Care Coordinator with Sunflower has been so very helpful and always searches for information if she doesn’t have it. THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HAVE BEEN PART OF LINDA’S LIFE!! Linda was active in Special Olympics thru ResCare staff and enjoyed bowling the most. She has multiple medals and liked going to Kansas City for the State tournaments. In the Winter months, Linda competed in Basketball skills a few years, then moved on to Cheerleading. YES, I said cheerleading!!! The regionals were held in Hays and a few times enjoyed the Dinner and Dance for all the kids as Linda called everybody. That little gal loved to dance!  These programs are so important for all these “kids”! It’s critical to stay active and physical if they can. Kim Mudd coordinates most of the programs and it’s a huge job! She is the leader for the Wichita Independents. There are many volunteers but I’m sure they could always use more! Linda was very proud of her accomplishments & we are thankful for the folks who make it happen. Linda struggled with the Diabetic food restrictions and was found cheating fairly often the last year. She was getting tired of “being told what to do” and “no you can’t have that but you can have this” or” you need to drink this water” When she did drink the water, she made an awful face and would act like it burned her mouth and throat and say I hate that stuff! She could be ornery and mischievous and sometimes just mad about the sugar restrictions, other times, sweet and thankful. We will miss her dearly but know she is at peace with the Lord and our folks, brothers, cousin Janeen and many others.  She is dancing and singing and eating whatever she wants, finally! Love you sister, aunt & friend.