Maribeth had a genuine smile that could light up a room. Those are words can be said about many. What made Maribeth unique was her passion for making the world a better place that she turned into her legacy. She never stopped pursuing new ways which she could influence her community in a positive way. She worked in many organizations and causes dedicated to making Kansas City a more just and safer place to live.
None of this was done with shouting or from a place of anger. She organized and labored to help the underserved, to find ways to help young people turn away from violence, and to make more homes safe from firearms. She did all of this, in the words of Stephen Stills, with a smile on her face and love in her heart.
Losing Maribeth to glioblastoma is a testament to what this terrible disease can steal from us. It can take a mother, a friend, a community leader and a person whose work touched countless lives. But it cannot take away the legacy she created through her life.