Helen J. Liston McCreary

Helen Liston McCreary, 92, passed away surrounded by family on May 31, 2025, at Brookdale Overland Park, in Overland Park, Kansas.

Born on November 2, 1932, in Joplin, Missouri, Helen was the daughter of Kenneth Harold Latta and Erma Nadine Mabry Latta. She was preceded in death by her parents, stepfather Clyde Pieffer, husband Dan R. Liston, son Del Liston, brother Kenneth Latta, and granddaughter Kylie Liston.

A devoted mother of five, Helen returned to the University of Kansas after her youngest started school and earned her bachelor’s degree in 1981. Following her call to ministry, she attended St. Paul School of Theology, where she received a Master of Divinity Degree in 1991. She went on to serve faithfully as a minister at Asbury United Methodist Church in Prairie Village, Leawood United Methodist Church, and Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas. She also brought comfort and compassion to many serving as a Chaplain for Heartland Hospice in Kansas City, Missouri.

Helen embraced life with joy, curiosity, and a bright smile. She had a passion for travel and visited all seven continents and 58 countries. She also had a deep love for the arts—singing with a local band, dancing, sculpting, sewing dolls to fund adventures, and even founding a kazoo band that performed at senior living centers in the community. Her energy, warmth, and sense of humor were felt by everyone she met.

She is lovingly remembered by her husband, Bill McCreary; children Diane Williams (Gary), Dan Liston (Ann), Darin Liston (Dana), and Darci Hildebrand (David); eleven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and a wide circle of extended family and dear friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 3:00 PM on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at Resurrection United Methodist Church in Leawood, Kansas. Visitation begins at 2:00 PM, with a reception immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Church of the Resurrection or The Dream Factory of Greater Kansas City.