Marilyn “Tippy” Joan Fuchs, age 78, died December 30, 2009, in Kansas City, MO.
Born 11/9/31 in Detroit, Michigan to Jacob & Elsie Tipton, the family moved to Trenton, MO during WW II. Tippy was in many school activities and was given the opportunity to take flying lessons as a teenager. Her solo cross country flight was from Trenton to Kansas City at age 16. After graduation she moved to Kansas City and worked several office jobs. Meanwhile she had several modeling opportunities including being in the first issue of “Seventeen Magazine”. As receptionist at the Advertising and Sales Executive Club she met Dick Fuchs, a fellow from New York, relatively new to Kansas City who was a Naval Aviator in WWII and had just joined a small insurance agency. They dated for a relatively short period of time until he realized she was the girl of his dreams. They married at Visitation Church on October 17, 1953. They both wanted a large family as Tippy had been an only child and they had their wish come true with six living children. A seventh daughter followed, Haley Louis, who only survived for ten hours. Tippy was a beautiful, talented wife and wonderful mother. The kids all returned her love and caring ways. As a large loving family they all remained in the Kansas City area. During the busy time raising her family she still demonstrated outstanding talents. She was a member of the Weavers Guild and created beautiful and inventive weavings, was a terrific cook, pianist, singer, poet and beautiful artist, specializing in pastels. She also played the flute, and took Spanish lessons for their frequent trips to Mexico. Tippy and Dick traveled extensively around the world, and also had properties in Breckenridge, CO, Taos, NM and Salt Spring Island, British Columbia where they loved to entertain their family and friends. In addition she operated several businesses, a clothing boutique, “I, a Woman”, and two art galleries, “In the Spirit Gallery” and “MJF Gallery” both of which specialized in southwestern art.
Tippy is survived and held in loving memory by, her husband Richard C. Fuchs, children Richard and Gail Fuchs and their sons Richard III and Cody, Robert and Sophie Fuchs, and their children Nicole and Jacob, Kimberly and Kristian laCour-Madsen, Lise and Kirk Strobel, and their children Haley, Adam, and Lise’s son Kevin his wife April and their four children Samantha, Jake, Sara, and Jessica, Courtney Fuchs and Robert Swisher, and their daughter Marilyn “Emmy”, Christopher John Fuchs.
It was Tippy’s wish once her children were grown to contribute to many individuals and charitable organizations, which prompted her to start her “Tippy’s Angel Fund” at Operation Breakthrough. So the family asks in lieu of flowers, friends are invited to make a donation to “Tippy’s Angel Fund” at Operation Breakthrough, 3039 Troost, Kansas City, MO, 64108 or www.operationbreathrough.com
Funeral Services were held on Saturday, January 2nd, 12:00 p.m., at McGilley State Line Chapel, 12301 State Line Road, Kansas City, MO.