Jennie Morton Mathews was the daughter of Philip W. Mathews and Rebecca Rouse, the seventh of ten children. Her father was born in Virginia and her mother in London, England. Jennie and her siblings were born in Kansas City, Kansas, where she lived almost her whole life. She was given the middle name of Morton after a family friend. Before she was married she worked for many years as a bank teller. Jennie married James H. DeCoursey in 1928. He had three children from his previous marriage to Julia McManus, to which she became a much loved mother. James and Jennie had one son of their own.

Related Items:
Pictures of Jennie from 1973.
Biographies from 1918 and 1952 and obituary for her husband James H. DeCoursey.

Mrs. Jennie M. DeCoursey
Mrs. Jennie M. DeCoursey, 97, formerly of Kansas City, Kan., died Friday, Feb. 5, 1988 at a Topeka retirement home.

She was born Dec. 4, 1890, in Kansas City, Kan., the daughter of Philip and Rebecca Mathews. She lived all her life in Kansas City, Kan., until she moved to Brewster Place about four years ago.

Mrs. DeCoursey was a member of St. Peter�s Catholic Cathedral in Kansas City, Kan., Providence-St. Margaret Hospital Guild, Woman�s City Club of Kansas City, Mo., Rockhurst College honorary director and St. Mary College President�s Club and was a scholarship sponsor at St. Mary College in Leavenworth.

She was married to James H. DeCoursey in Kansas City, Kan., He was one of the founders of DeCoursey Creameries. He died in 1955. A daughter, Mary Agnes DeCoursey, died in 1983, and a son, Edwin DeCoursey, died in 1965. Survivors include a daughter, Sister Mary Edwin DeCoursey, Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, Leavenworth; a son, James H. DeCoursey, Topeka; 10 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday in St. Peter�s Catholic Cathedral at Kansas City, Kan. Burial will be in Mount Cavalry Cemetery at Kansas City, Kan. Mrs. DeCoursey will lie in state from 2 until 8 p.m. Sunday at Butler and Son Chapel, 19th and Minnesota, Kansas City, Kan., where a rosary will be recited at 5 p.m. Sunday. Memorial contributions may be made to Brewster Place Medical, 1205 S.W. 29th, Topeka, 66611.

Mrs. Jennie M. DeCoursey
Jennie M. DeCoursey, 97, Topeka, mother of former Kansas Lt. Gov. James H. DeCoursey Jr., died Feb. 5, 1988, in a nursing home in Topeka.

Mrs. DeCoursey was a member of the Woman�s City Club and the Providence-St. Margaret Hospital Guild. She was an honorary director of Rockhurst College and a member of the President�s Club and a scholarship sponsor at St. Mary College, Leavenworth. She was a member of St. Peter�s Catholic Cathedral, Kansas City, Kan.

She was born in Kansas City, Kan., and lived in this area until she moved to Topeka four years ago. Her husband, James H. DeCoursey Sr., co-founder of the DeCoursey Creamery, Co., died in 1955. Her son, of Topeka, was lieutenant governor from 1969 to 1971.

Survivors also include a daughter, Sister Mary Edwin DeCoursey, Leavenworth; 10 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at the church, burial in Mount Cavalry Cemetery, Kansas City, Kan. Friends may call from 2 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the Butler & Son Chapel, 19th Street and Minnesota Avenue, Kansas City, Kan., where the rosary will be said at 5 p.m. The family suggests contributions to St. Mary College, Leavenworth.