Mary Jean McKinney Podrebarac of Prairie Village, Kansas, was called by our heavenly Father on July 19, 2026. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Ann Catholic Church, Prairie Village on August 1, 2026 at 11:00 am with visitation at 10:00 am. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the following charities: Sister Servants of Mary (800 North 18th Street, KCK 66102), St Ann Catholic Church (7231 Mission Road, PVK 66208) or St John the Baptist Catholic Church (708 N. 4th Street, KCK. 66101).
Mary Jean was born in Kansas City, Kansas on April 16, 1931 to Ann (Cindrich) and Earl F. McKinney. She graduated from St. John the Baptist Catholic grade school and Bishop Ward High School. Music and voice played a prominent role in Mary Jean’s life and in high school she had lead roles in the operettas. A lyric soprano and soloist studying voice with the late Gladys Cranston and then with the late Martha Longmire at the UMKC Conservatory of music, she sang for numerous weddings (her first at the age of 12), anniversaries and funerals. Mary Jean also sang with various choirs, the longest being 70 years with the St. John the Baptist Choir.
On July 26, 1952, she married the love of her life, Dr. Charles M. Podrebarac and celebrated 60 years of marriage. Together they raised five children. Her faith and family were most important to her. Attending daily mass and receiving communion were priorities, as well as actively participating in her children’s school functions through Mothers Clubs and Boards.
Mary Jean served on the Board of Trustees of Notre Dame de Sion School, Board Member of Rockhurst University Library Guild, Board of Family and Children Services, Board of the Kansas City Civic Opera, Lifetime member of the St. John the Baptist Alter Society and the St. Ann Women’s Club. She was also active with the Wyandotte County Dental Auxiliary where she served as President. A devout Catholic, she was a member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem – a Dame of the Grand Cross. She was a lifelong member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, longtime member of St. Patrick Catholic Church and presently, a member of the St. Ann Catholic Church in Prairie Village.
In addition to her musical gifts, Mary Jean was an elegant, put together woman of many talents. She was a consummate multitasker, stylish, artistic, and creative. A fantastic cook, who could single-handedly host a party that looked professionally catered—all while maintaining an effortless demeanor. Her children had come to expect that there would always be an immaculately dressed mother to greet them at the door with a home cooked meal and a clean, well-decorated house, after school or really anytime.
Mary Jean also traveled the world to many beautiful places with Charles. During the Kennedy administration, she accompanied him on a diplomatic US State Department sponsored goodwill medical trip to the former Yugoslavia.
Mary Jean was predeceased by her husband, parents, Earl F. and Ann McKinney, her brother, Dr. James F. McKinney and her half-brother, Earl Kitchen. She is survived by her five children, Rebecca Bennett (Dale), Marya Stallard (Kent), Charles F. Podrebarac (Alicia Fremont), Dr. Pierre Podrebarac (Jeni) and Gina Bertrand (Paul). She is also survived by seven wonderful grandchildren: Charles Edward Bennett, Sinon Padraic Bennett (Deanna), Brendan Kent Stallard (Madeleine Matthews), Nicholas Watson Bertrand, Pierre James Podrebarac, Jacob Patrick Podrebarac and Noelle Sophia Bertrand and two great-grandsons, Kai Ozan Bennett and Bruno Padraic Bennett.
Mary Jean was a kind and loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, who will be sorely missed.
May she rest in the arms of God!
Obituary published by Signature Funerals.
