Lois Irene Reitz, 91, of Roeland Park, KS, peacefully passed away on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, in Kansas City, MO.

Lois was born in Jamaica Queens, NY on February 11, 1935, to Martin and Irene Bligh.  She grew up in New Hyde Park, Long Island, NY where she became an accomplished pianist, a talent she shared with her father and sister.  Her love of music and singing was both a personal joy and a gift she shared with others through teaching.  Lois received a bachelor’s degree in music education from State University of New York-Fredonia in 1956.  She later went on to receive a master’s degree in liberal arts in the 1970s from Baker University in Baldwin City, KS. She retired from the Shawnee Mission School District in 1995 following 30 years of teaching elementary music.

She was a modern renaissance woman, always intellectually curious with boundless creativity and an unwavering self-confidence.  Lois grabbed at any opportunity to sing and be a part of musical performance.  She was a founding member of the Kansas City Women’s Chorus. Was a patron of the KC Symphony and was thrilled to sing a few times with an expanded KC Symphony Chorus at performances of Handel’s Messiah.   She was a pivotal volunteer and member of the board for the Kansas City Women’s Jazz Festivals.  Lois shared her joy of singing with several local groups including the Rolling Hills Presbyterian Church choir, Leawood singers, Tune Time singers, and others.  A real “feather in her cap” was performing at Carnegie Hall in NYC after practice, practice, practice.  She was a “foodie” before that was even a word!  Used to say about food, “there are two things I don’t like, coconut and I can’t remember the other”.  Lois loved to entertain, enjoyed traveling and the outdoors.  She was an avid baseball fan and visited many of the MLB stadiums throughout the country.  She was a devoted NY Yankees fan and continued to root for them although embraced the KC Royals and certainly enjoyed the rivalry between those two teams through the years.  She had a real zest for life.  Lived it to the fullest and yes, she did it her way!   

Lois is survived by her daughters Joann Reitz Adams and Susan Reitz Doyle (Jim); grandchildren Stephen Adams (Taylor); Lauren Adams (Joseph); Maxwell Reitz Doyle (Hannah); LiAnna Doyle; Jamie Doyle (Mandi); great-grandchildren Tripp Adams; Gavin Doyle; former husband and lifelong friend John M. Reitz.  Her circle of friends was vast and she was a close, dear friend to many.  Lois has left a legacy and will be greatly missed.    

“Carve your name on hearts, not tombstones.  A legacy is etched into the minds of others and the stories they share about you.”   --- Shannon Alder            

Preceded in death by her parents Martin and Irene Bligh; partner of 21 years Pat Crow; and sister Marian Scheid.

A celebration of Lois will be Saturday, August 15, 2026, location and time pending.

Her final resting place will be with her parents in St. John’s Cemetery, Middle Village, Queens, NY.  Interment will be on Monday, September 14, 2026.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to:

Local Arts https://artskc.org/support/ 

Kansas City Women’s Chorus https://kcwomenschorus.org/support/donations/

League of Women Voters https://lwvkc.org/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=477430&module_id=717135