Gwendolyn “Bobbie” Thrutchley, born April 9, 1931, in Kansas City, KS, passed away on December 8, 2025. She was the proud daughter of Sidney and Lily Hicks, who immigrated from Cornwall, England to the United States in 1912.
Bobbie graduated from Wyandotte High School and eventually, with her characteristic determination, earned her nursing degree at the age of 50 to become a licensed practical nurse.
Her life was grounded in the service of others. As a nurse, she touched innumerable lives. One occasion of special note was on a medical mission trip to Thailand with Mercy and Truth Medical Missions. Closer to home, she volunteered weekly at the Village Presbyterian Church food pantry, keeping the shelves stocked and serving countless families in need.
Bobbie lived her life with remarkable energy and grit. She began running at age 66 and still holds multiple age-group records. She completed the Pikes Peak Marathon twice, and also competed in the National Senior Olympics. At age 88, she went skydiving for the second time! Her adventurous spirit and resilience inspired and will continue to inspire all who were blessed to know her.
She was preceded in death by her parents Sidney and Lily Hicks, her husband, William E. Thrutchley, her son, John Thrutchley, her sisters, Lillian Beckner, Molly Johnson, Elizabeth Crosthwait, and Barbara McDonald, and her brothers, Sidney Hicks and Bill Hicks.
Bobbie is survived by her daughter Amy Hall (Dennis), and her son, David Thrutchley (Cheryl). She leaves behind her cherished grandchildren, Lindsey Hall, Lucas Hall (Alex), Leah Leeds (Derek), Benjamin Thrutchley, Scott Stinson (Emmagene), Joshua Thrutchley, Joel Thrutchley, and Callie Thrutchley, as well as great-grandchildren Austyn Labus, Nora Leeds, Henry Hall, and James Stinson, as well as numerous beloved nieces and nephews.
Bobbie leaves a legacy of love, perseverance, and a life wholeheartedly embraced and lived to the fullest. Those of us left behind will follow the extraordinary example she set until the day that we meet again.
A Celebration of Life will be on January 7, 2026 at 10:00 a.m at Rolling Hills Presbyterian Chapel, 9300 Nall Avenue, Overland Park, KS. Graveside Services will be at 2:30 p.m. at Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery, 150 Muncie Rd, Leavenworth KS.