Linnea Kenney Brock

Linnea Kenney Brock, longtime Liberty resident passed peacefully surrounded by loved ones on March 8, 2024.

Linnea was born November 20, 1933, and grew up in Cranston, RI with her parents, the Rev. Leon and Ruth Kenney, sister Marsha and brother Jimmy, until she made the long train ride to Liberty, Missouri to attend William Jewell College. There she joined the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority and was active and involved in campus wide activities. About 3 weeks into her first semester, she met and fell hard for the love of her life, Raymond (Ray) Brock. 

Ray and Linnea were married September 13, 1952, and soon moved to Norman, Oklahoma where Ray was stationed while serving his country in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. After two years, they moved to Liberty where they would live more than 65 years in the home they built there. 

Ray and Linnea were an amazing pair and throughout their many years together complemented each other beautifully. While Ray worked long hours in the business world, Linnea kept everything humming at home. 

Whatever needed to be done, Linnea learned how to do it. And do it well. She was a superwoman at just about everything she did. Except driving, but that was a necessity with an active family. When asked where she lived, she always said “in a brown station wagon”.

She was an accomplished seamstress, sewing virtually all her daughters’ clothes. She reupholstered furniture, wallpapered and painted. She stripped and refinished all manners of woodwork. For many years, she meticulously refinished the wood storefront at By The Book, gaining admirers and new friends each time. 

Linnea was a treasure. 

She was an amazing talent with unlimited creativity and energy. Playful, she was adventurous with family and friends alike. Linnea was the ringleader of fun. 

At times a prankster, she leveraged her sewing skills to whip together amazing Halloween costumes, of course for the kids, but also and most notably, for herself and others which they wore to great effect to alarm and amuse their friends. And she was not above, after a fun day, draping a tape measure around her neck, just before Ray would get home from work to make sure he knew she was managing the household. 

Special memories include generations of gatherings at the backyard swimming pool, years at Clayview Country Club picnics, swim meets and celebrations, toboggan runs down the hills at Jewell, snow skiing in Breckenridge and slalom skiing at the Lake of the Ozarks. Linnea loved the sea and was always first to dive into the surf. 

A long-time Girl Scout leader, Linnea helped shape dozens of young girls’ lives including her four daughters, who with their mom at one time represented all five levels of scouting. She loved the PEO sisterhood, making lifelong friendships over the more than 50 years she served in many capacities, notably as it’s President and historian. She was involved in and dedicated to the Liberty Christian Church and was invaluable in helping to direct the dramatic performances there. 

Linnea had some of the best friendships in the world and was a wonderful friend to so many in our community. If there was a need, she jumped right on it. Never waiting- she just acted, comforted, and loved. 

She was an inspiration, and we are all better people because of her example and influence. 

Mostly, Linnea loved her children and all the grandkids and great grandkids.  She and Ray were blessed with four daughters, and they welcomed each son-in-law as their own. Her beautiful smile and lovely laugh would light up all their lives. She loved them fiercely and they loved her right back. 

Linnea leaves her daughters, Carol Brock (Robert Weagley), Amy Clements (Conn),Ellen Todd (Chris), Lisa Lowe (Mike); grandchildren Shelly Carenbauer (Zach), Byron Trotter (Kristen), Kennedy Brock, Annie Marino (Taylor), Gretchen Adams (James), Justin Clemens (Juli), Hillary Harbor (Matt), Aaron Todd (Debra), Hannah Kavookjian (Haik), Raymond Lowe, Brock Lowe (Jessica), and Michaela Lowe; great grandchildren, Austin, Charlie, Grey, James, Sophie, Elijah, Brayden (Morgan), Grace, Clara, Henry, Mabel, Zachary, Joshua, Owen, Raymond and Louise; and great-great grandson, Landon. Linnea also leaves other family members and special nieces and nephews she loved so very much. 

The family appreciates the wonderful caregivers that have been so loving and attentive and will always be cherished. 

Visitation will begin at 9:30 am, followed by a service celebrating Linnea’s life at 11:00 am, on Wednesday, March 27, at Liberty Christian Church, 427 East Kansas Street, Liberty, Missouri 64068. Private burial in Mount Memorial Cemetery located on the William Jewell campus.

In lieu of flowers, donations would be welcomed at KC Hospice, Liberty Christian Church and PEO, Chapter DT.

You may share a message with the family or sign an online guest book via www.parklawnfunerals.com.  Arrangements: Park Lawn Northland Chapel (816) 781-8228.