Obituary

Antonia Troncoso Medellin passed away peacefully on July 7, 2026, with family by her side. She was 101 years young. Just days earlier, the nation celebrated its 250th birthday; when she was born, the United States was only 149 years old. Over her lifetime, she witnessed remarkable local, national, and global change—innovations and transformations many people under 50 know only from history.

Mom was born in a house under the 7th Street Bridge on Valentine’s Day in 1925. She lived a life marked by both hardship and abundance. Mom and Dad shared their blessings generously with strangers God occasionally placed in their path, providing shelter, clothing, money, and, at times, help finding jobs and places to live.

Mom was part of the Greatest Generation. She survived the Great Depression and later helped support this country’s victory over fascism in World War II. Although Rosie the Riveter is often remembered, many other wartime jobs held by women have been overlooked. Mom first worked in a dangerous production area at the Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant, where she endured extreme temperatures while rolling sheets of lead that would later be made into bullets. Because she was intelligent and small, she was later chosen to read blueprints and install wiring in B-25 bomber planes used during the war.

Back in the early 1960s, Kansas City and New York were the two largest garment production centers in the country. Mom used her puzzle skills to make passementerie buttons for couture fashion houses. These handmade buttons were created from cords and silk threads woven into special knots and intricate patterns, then sewn onto designer clothing that only the very wealthy could afford.

One of her greatest joys was caring for children. She spent 18 years working in the after-school program at Notre Dame de Sion, where she lovingly nurtured countless young lives. She retired at the young age of 89, leaving behind a legacy of kindness, compassion, and care.

Mom enjoyed going to casinos with Dad. She had fun with her money, which may be why she often hit jackpots—and Dad didn’t. She loved “watching the world go by” while sitting on the front porch and talking with neighbors as they walked their dogs or strolled with their children. Mom loved KC BBQ, puzzles, the color purple, dressing nicely each day with coordinated jewelry, and reading—a love she passed down to all of her daughters.

Mom was preceded in death by our father, Frank; her parents; brothers and sisters; and daughter, Anita. She is survived by her daughters, Pat Loetel, Mary Medellin, and Dolly Myatt, and by son-in-law, John Myatt; grandchildren Brad, Jeff, Cecelia, and Marco; great-granddaughters Gloria and Sofia; great-grandson Ze’ev; and sisters Angelina and Theresa.

A funeral Mass will be held at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 1800 SW State Route MO-150, Lee’s Summit, MO 64082, on July 14, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery.

“Que tu alma descanse en paz y tu luz siga brillando en nuestros corazones.” (May your soul rest in peace, and may your light continue to shine in our hearts.)

In lieu of flowers, family requests that you make donations in Antonia’s memory be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.