Mary Jo (Davis) Nastasi, 80, of Independence, MO, passed away on November 12, 2023 at the KC Hospice House in Kansas City, MO, after battling multiple health issues the last few weeks of her life. Visitation will be from 9:30-11:00 am on Saturday, November 18, 2023 at Royer’s New Salem Funeral Home, 1823 N. Blue Mills Rd., Independence, MO 64058. Funeral will be held at 11:00 am. Burial to follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Independence, MO immediately following the service. Mary was born in Kansas City, MO on December 31, 1942 to Philip and Helen Davis who predeceased her. Mary graduated from Center High School in 1961 and attended Kansas State University after high school. She eventually earned her B.S. in Social Psychology from Park University. She worked for several years at the Internal Revenue Service in South Kansas City before beginning a career teaching in Christian Schools in Independence, MO. She most recently worked for the Independence School District as a Paraprofessional and Bus Aide for Behavior Disordered and Emotionally Disturbed Students and later moved into teaching Adult Education leading GED classes at the Hawthorne Community Center in Independence. She always told us that teaching was the greatest profession in the world. She loved to share her faith and was not at all shy asking anyone she met if they had placed their faith in her Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ.
Mary is survived by four children from her marriage to Joe Nastasi; Joe (Angie) Nastasi, Anissa (Rodney) Nelson, Alesia (Larry) Burroughs, Maria (Jimmy) Waite, and was predeceased by her youngest son, John Nastasi, in 2022 who she was looking forward to being reunited with in heaven. Mary was also the birthmother of Kevin (Christina) King back in 1964 and was overjoyed to get to meet and know him since 1992.
The loves of her life were her thirteen grandchildren who she enjoyed telling all of her friends and caregivers about; Elizabeth Nelson, Emily Nelson, Joshua Nastasi, Ethan Nelson and girlfriend Payton Kinnison, Larry Burroughs, Corey Burroughs, Jesse Nastasi, Elsie Kate Nelson, Jonathan Waite, Abbie Nastasi, Justin Waite, Madison Waite, and Jared Waite. Mary is also survived by her brother, Philip E. (Butch) Davis, Jr. and two nieces, Renee (Scott) Allen, Melinda (William) McIntyre; and a nephew Philip E. Davis, III along with several cousins and other family members.
Mary’s family would like to thank her next door neighbor, Sherry Lomax, who did so much to help her maintain her independence in her home. A great debt of gratitude to Maria & Madison Waite who were Moms primary caregivers in the last few months of her life.
Mom, we love you!!!
Obituary submitted by the family.
Arrangements: Royer’s New Salem Funeral Home, Independence, MO 816-796-8600