Lisbeth "Beth" Lurey

Lisbeth "Beth" Blair Lurey, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away on November 14, 2023, in Merriam, Kansas. Born on July 19, 1950, in Chicago, Illinois, Beth was the daughter of the late Ethel Hellman Lurey and Harvey Lurey.

Beth embarked on a journey through life filled with love, laughter, and a deep passion for art. From Mather High School in Chicago to the halls of Drake University in Des Moines, to Kansas City in 1974. While at Drake she studied Art History, and cultivated a lifelong appreciation for creativity and expression.

Once in Kansas City she became an integral part of the art community. For over 30 years, she worked at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. From running the Docent program to being named interim Curator of Prints, her roles in between were many. She worked side by side with many organizations during her career, including the Print Society of Greater KC, Kansas City Artists Coalition, UMKC Gallery of Art, the Kemper Museum, and countless others. In the late 1990’s she took on creating the art collection for the Stowers Institute of Medical Research. While Beth had many accomplishments in her life, she didn’t define success only in terms of her career achievements.

Her family and friends were the center of her world.

In the picturesque setting of Malibu, California, Beth exchanged vows with Mark Titus on October 25, 1983. They celebrated a remarkable 40 years of marriage this past October, a union that thrived for four decades. Beth's devotion in her roles as a dedicated wife, nurturing mother, proud grandmother, sister, and friend was unwavering.

She was known for taking people in, and for winning anyone over in a conversation. She was famous for her Hanukkah parties, and for the many Nadya fashions she loved and shared. She regularly played mahjong with her friends and attended countless sporting endeavors with brothers and grandchildren alike. She loved pa’s chicken, swimming, and doing crosswords.

Beth was proceeded by her mother and father, Ethel and Harvey, and by her golden retriever, Chuck. She is survived by her brother, Michael Lurey (Laurie Hasencamp), and sister Nadya Lurey; her husband, Mark Titus, and their two children: Missy Titus Pulliam (Reece Pulliam), and their two children Ryder Pulliam, and Collins “Coco” Pulliam; her son, Charles “Chas” Titus (Miranda Gibbs); her dog, Kodi, and her cat, Tut.

She also cherished her sister-in-law, Jean Titus Kiene, and her nieces and nephews: Jeremy Lurey (Monica Garcia Lurey), Jennifer Lurey Kovacs (Jeff Kovacs), Brad Hellman (Kelley Hellman), Brooke Hoffman (Richard Hoffman), Lisa Kiene (John Lane), and Hotchy Kiene (Amanda Sahli).

Beth will be remembered for her creative spirit, her love for the arts, and the joy she brought to those around her. Her legacy lives on in the memories shared by many family and friends.

A memorial service to celebrate Beth's life will be held tomorrow on Friday, November 17, 1 p.m. at Louis Memorial Chapel. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Print Society of Greater Kansas City, the Kansas City Artist Coalition or AbilityKC