Dorothy Quant Neville, 90, died on May 23, 2009, at Somerset Health Care at Claridge Court in Prairie Village, KS. A memorial service and reception will be at 10:00 a.m. Monday, June 15, at Second Presbyterian Church, 318 E. 55th Street, Kansas City, MO. Burial to follow at Forest Hill Cemetery, 6901 Troost Ave., Kansas City, MO.
After graduating from Paseo High School in 1935, Dorothy received an Associate of Arts degree from the Junior College of Kansas City, MO; studied at the University of Kansas; and graduated from the University of Kansas City (now UMKC) in 1941 with a BA in music. She was an accomplished pianist. During World War II, after drafting classes at Wichita State and the University of Southern California, Dorothy worked for North American Aviation in southern California where she was an illustrator of cockpit instruments, various interior assemblies and the Norden Bombsight. Returning to Kansas City she continued working as a draftsman. In 1977 she married Homer F. Neville (noted architect and designer of KC buildings including the Municipal Auditorium and Music Hall, Midwest Research Institute and the campanile at KU in Lawrence). They were married 14 years. She enjoyed her membership in Mu Phi Epsilon (international professional music fraternity) since 1940 including serving twice as past president of the KC Evening Alumni Chapter. Dorothy loved music, travel, gardening, old movies, and her best friend Florence Lockridge.
Dorothy leaves Homer's two daughters, Nancy Glick of Orlando, FL, and Alix Arthur and her husband Jack Arthur of Littleton, CO; and Homer's seven grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Homer Neville; parents, Arthur Lewis Quant and Una Maude Fowler Quant; two brothers, Robert and Willis (Bill); one sister, Marjorie; and grandparents, Charles and Adderine Banning Quant and Sylvester and Elizabeth Shaw Fowler.
A sincere heartfelt thank you to all of Dorothy's wonderful caregivers for your loving care - at Sterling House, later at Somerset Health Care and Good Shepherd Hospice; Vera, Marta and Ethel. Dorothy's caregivers have only known her since her stroke fifteen years ago. With very little speech, but understanding of her world (and needing a wheel chair for the last seven years), Dorothy truly was an inspiration to all of us. She taught us that we can enjoy each day we're given - with a positive attitude, cooperation, patience, a beautiful smile and a cheerful heart. In lieu of flowers donations are suggested in Dorothy's name to Good Shepherd Hospice, 7611 State Line, Suite 200, Kansas City, MO 64114; Mu Phi Epsilon Scholarship Fund, c/o Dr. Dorothy Brandwein, 6101 Alhambra, Shawnee Mission, KS 66205; or Second Presbyterian Church, 318 E. 55th Street, Kansas City, MO 64113. Arrangements by: D.W. Newcomer's Sons Overland Park Chapel, 8201 Metcalf, Overland Park, KS, (913)648-6224.
