Matilda "Tillie" R. (Reno) Morrow

On behalf of our entire family, thank you for being here to honor Tillie Morrow. We also thank the many caretakers she had, including the hospice staff, the private home health care workers, and everyone at the Reflection Ridge retirement community. Thank you to Fr. David and the parishioners of St. Anne for all they do and our thanks to Brian Goudie and everyone from Downing & Lahey.

Tillie was preceded in death by her parents, her older brother Don, younger brother Cookie, and younger sister, Linda. She is survived by Richard, her husband of 66 years, their four children, Tony, Danny, Tina, and Lisa, and their families. Tillie is also survived by her sister Kathy, and her brother, Larry.

Matilda Ramona Reno, better known as Tillie, was born on November 17th, 1933, in St. Joseph MO. Tillie was the second of six children born to Randy and Elsie Reno, and grew up in St. Joe, graduating from Sacred Heart High School in 1952.

Tillie grew up in a loving and lively household. Her dad was a decorated WWII veteran and an avid recreational athlete, as a pitcher in fast-pitch softball and he also bowled a 300 game. Her mom was an energetic and deeply religious woman, raising her six children, then also raising several grandchildren and foster children. Tillie worked at a young age, so she could have some nicer things and she took pride in caring for them.

As a young adult, Tillie worked as an Executive Secretary, and it was there she met Richard Morrow, who worked on computers for Sperry Rand. Richard and Tillie married on December 1st, 1956, at the Cathedral in St. Joseph MO. They were an interesting cultural mix, a Mexican woman and an Irishman, but they were united in a common faith. They moved to Wichita in 1957 because of Dad’s job. In the summer of ’65, they bought a house on South Elizabeth Street, where they would raise our family and live for the next 55 years.

Mom devoted her life to living her faith and caring for her family – fixing meals, paying bills, mending clothes, cleaning house, and taking us where we needed to go. Tillie was active at St. Anne for many years, volunteering in the school’s lunch room and singing for over 20 years in the church choir. We spent many Easters and Christmases coming back here to see Mom sing with the choir. Mom loved music, and the classic country music channel was frequently playing at their house.

Mom bowled with the St. Anne’s ladies league. She had a purple bowling ball and purple shoes, perhaps foreshadowing that three of her children would attend K-State.

Some recollections from the family about Mom are her putting up a cardboard fireplace at Christmas time, to give Santa an entryway into our house . . . laughing so hard at skits on the Carol Burnett show that tears would come to her eyes . . . her delicious chocolate cake with chocolate chips . . . meals involving crumbled hamburger and tortillas . . . making popcorn on the stove prior to Shocker basketball games on TV . . . playing a card game called Tripoley with us . . . Mom scurrying between the kitchen and dining room during meals, bringing us whatever we needed while not missing a beat in the conversation.

We remember occasional family outings to Shakey’s pizza and the original Angelo’s on Harry Street. We remember Mom taking us with her to shop at Bleier’s IGA, at the old Giant store, and at Youthful Shoes at the beginning of every school year.

Mom was very involved with our events and activities. When Danny played for a travel baseball team, Mom and Dad spent many summers driving kids and ballplayers all over the region. It was a family affair; Danny played, Mom and Dad watched, Tony was an assistant coach, Tina was the scorekeeper, and Lisa played with the other little kids. There were many victories, a few losses, and a lot of stories and laughter among family and friends. Mom washed many a baseball uniform and was an expert at getting out grass and dirt stains.

Mom was focused, determined, and meticulous. She believed in God and in education, and she had high expectations. Mom and Dad were and are truly wonderful parents. It was only after becoming adults that we recognized how much Mom and Dad sacrificed for us. They scrimped and saved to pay for our Catholic education, first here at St. Anne, then at Bishop Carroll high school.

It is a tribute to Mom and Dad’s parenting ability that all four of their children remain active in the Catholic Church. Together we have seven college degrees, and the three youngest children are solid and productive citizens. Mom loved doting on her grandchildren; four of Mom and Dad’s grandchildren are adopted, and they welcomed each one immediately and loved them unconditionally.

Mom enjoyed watching sports on TV, especially the Royals and the Chiefs. In recent years, even when she couldn’t find the words, her competitive streak came through. When she spotted Tom Brady quarterbacking the Buccaneers, her facial expression told us, “I know that guy, and I don’t like him!”

Mom gave all she had for as long as she could. She struggled with her dementia and did all she could to hide it for quite some time. In retrospect, several things we thought were just Mom’s quirks were her way of holding on to her independence and autonomy the best she could.

Near the end, Mom could no longer help us, but needed help herself. She accepted it, at first reluctantly, but she gradually obliged. Even as her dementia progressed, she was sweet and friendly when lucid, chatting up the nurses and her fellow residents and reminding us to drive safely.

It’s sad to think of how Mom must have felt when she struggled with her fading memory and abilities. Except for her frequent prayers to God, she privately bore that cross for some time. We mourn Mom’s passing, but we take comfort in knowing she is no longer bound by her body’s limitations. Mom remains under God’s care. We rejoice for her soul, and her spirit lives on in each of us.

Thank you to Dad and my siblings. We have worked well together to look out for M&Ds best interests and have done so in a loving and cooperative way.

Thank you again for being here with us.