Megan Reese Edwards

Megan Reese Edwards, age 55, passed away at her home after a three year battle with ovarian cancer, surrounded by family in Mission Hills, Kansas on April 6, 2021.  She was born in Newark, Ohio on January 26, 1966 to John Gilbert and Louella Hodges Reese.  Megan attended Woodside School, St. Francis DeSales School, Wilson Junior High School and Newark Senior High School in Newark, Ohio before graduating from the Loomis Chaffee School in Windsor, Connecticut in 1984.  She earned her Bachelor of Arts from DePauw University, in Greencastle, Indiana in 1988.  Megan was happily married to Eric Lee Edwards on September 4, 1999.  She is the mother of two sons; Reed Lehr Edwards and Edward Lucius Edwards and two daughters, Helen Reese Edwards and Phoebe Wells Edwards.  She is survived by her husband, her four children, her mother and siblings; Martha Grace Reese, Sarah Reese Wallace, Gilbert Hodges Reese and Lucius Everett Reese as well as eight nieces and nephews and six great nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her father, John Gilbert Reese and her maternal and paternal grandparents.

Megan and Eric met in 1997 during their involvement with Big Brothers Big Sisters in Lawrence, Kansas.  They enjoyed the happiest marriage for over twenty one years.  Megan was forever grateful to Eric for being a wonderful husband and a wonderful father to their four children.  Megan's extended family will always be grateful to Eric for providing constant care and support to Megan during her illness and throughout their marriage.

Megan had many passions in life.  First and foremost in her life was her passion for her family.  She cared deeply about her children, their educations and their happiness as productive adults.  She spent countless hours supporting their activities and did all she could to provide counsel to them as they were making life decisions.  She was ever present in their lives and always will be.  She could not have been prouder of them.  She recognized and deeply appreciated their differences, similarities and their ways of contributing to their worlds. 

Megan had an unending passion for art and design.  She loved beauty in all forms.  She was the most talented designer with impeccable judgment, taste, and creativity with an ability to execute on complicated projects.  She was unselfish in sharing her many talents. Megan’s impact on every space she touched was immeasurable and those of us fortunate enough to live in or visit those spaces have a lasting reminder of her talents and her beautiful touch.

On Megan's behalf, the Edwards family extends special thanks to Kelsy Schimmel and Beth Easter, Megan's dear friends who provided unending and consistent support on a daily basis and in every way during Megan's illness.  In addition, the family is thankful for the expert medical care provided by the wonderful and trusted Dr. Robert Pluenneke and his staff at the Kansas University Medical Center, as well as the many surgeons, doctors and clinical trial directors at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota and MD Anderson in Houston, Texas. 

Megan always had a special place in her heart for Bishop Seabury Academy in Lawrence, Kansas, the preparatory school that provided superb educations for her four children.  She served on the board at Bishop Seabury Academy from 2002 to 2014 with great passion for their mission in providing excellence, respect and mutual support.  As we celebrate Megan's life, we invite those who were touched by her many kindnesses and talents to direct memorial gifts to the Megan Reese Edwards Fund at Bishop Seabury Academy, 4120 Clinton Parkway, Lawrence, Kansas 66047, to the attention of Head Master Dr. Don Schawang.  A private graveside service will take place at Maple Grove Cemetery in Granville, Ohio.  A celebration of life event will be planned for a later date.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.mcpeekhoekstra.com.

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