Samyra Marks, 80, passed away peacefully on July 2.
Funeral services were held at Louis Memorial Chapel on July 5, followed by a burial at Mt. Carmel Cemetery.
Samyra was born on Sept. 19, 1943, to the late Joseph and Eileen Glass in Kansas City, Missouri. She graduated from Southwest High School in 1961 and spent a year at the University of Oklahoma in Norman. After returning from Oklahoma, she started working at Blue Cross Blue Shield.
She attended a young adults group where she met the love of her life, Mickey Marks, also of Kansas City, Missouri. They were married in 1967 and together for more than 55 years.
Samyra was a doting mom to her two children, Jennifer and Aaron. When they entered school full time, she found her true passion: teaching preschool at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City. She was fondly known as “Miss Samyra” to the many students and their families over the 30 years she taught. She cherished the relationships she made throughout her years at The J and loved keeping up with her former students.
She enjoyed traveling, attending the theater, playing mahjongg and Royal Rummy, watching beauty pageants and even had a knack for matchmaking. Most importantly, she loved spending time with her family and friends. She belonged to ORT and to Congregation Beth Shalom and its Sisterhood.
She loved her family immensely and took great joy in their accomplishments. She was preceded in death by her parents and her devoted husband, Mickey. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer and Kevin Fine of Wildwood, Missouri; and her son, Aaron Marks of Overland Park, Kansas. She was the loving Nama to Ethan, Demi and Rylie Fine of Wildwood. She also leaves behind nephews and nieces, many dear cousins and so many wonderful lifelong friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Child Development Center at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City or the charity of one’s choice.
Samyra was so loved and will be deeply missed.
Online condolences for the family may be left at louismemorialchapel.com.
