Mandi Wallace

Mandi Wallace, 55, passed away Friday, December 7th, 2018. She passed peacefully in her sleep, at home with her much loved husband, son, daughter, brother and friends. She fought the beast of COPD for five long years, and while it took her life, it never diminished her love, spirit, or determination. This was a blessing for this strong, independent woman.

Mandi was born March 18th, 1963 in Columbus, OH where she was adopted by George Bigley and his wife at the time, Gail Borin. She received her GED in Topeka, and immediately went to work full time in retail management for Kwik Shop. It was there she met her husband, Greg Wallace. They were married Jan 1, 1982, and remained together until her death.

Mandi's career in retail culminated with her rising to the rank of Area Manager for Bon Worth ladies clothing, overseeing 7 stores in 4 states, while also managing her own store at West Ridge Mall in Topeka, Ks for seven years. But her real career, and love of her life, was her family.

Mandi was a mother to every child she ever saw. She had her 3 children in the first four years of marriage, and every home she lived in became the defacto home for every child in the neighborhood. After school and during summer break, it wasn't unusual for 6-10 kids besides her own to be tearing around the yard in joyous play. Snacks and meals were made and shared regardless of who was there. They were all her children. Mandi was a fabulous cook, and never let a holiday or season pass without creating a feast that would feed Cox's Army. No one left her table hungry. Single friends, those separated from loved ones by death or distance, even strangers, were welcomed to the Thanksgiving and Christmas meals, the summer barbecues, the Super Bowl parties.

Her story can't be told without thanking all the people who helped her through these last five years. The Palliative Medicine team at Stormont, especially Dr's Devader and Skelton, helped provide her with knowledge, support and comfort until she went into hospice care at Kansas Palliative Hospice Care. Everyone we dealt with there provided excellent care, and genuine giving hearts. And like everyone who met Mandi, they fell in love with her. Her nurse, Eileen Parks, and her aide, Lynn Reeves, had her in their loving arms until her last breath. Special thanks also to Ron, Tracy, Nicole, Angie, Jennifer, Kathy, Keith, Craig, Chris, and Maggie. The average hospice stay is 18 days, but these people cared for Mandi for 19 months. And they made her final wish of passing at home occur. Special thanks to Allen French and Bob French for opening their homes and hearts to comfort a dying friend. Also thanks to her children for all their help in the daily care of their mother.

Mandi was preceded in death by her brothers Thomas Bigley and Richard Wallace, her adoptive mother, Gail Borin, and her mother and father in law, Frank and Marilynn Decker. She is survived by her husband, Greg Wallace of the home, her parents, George and Christine Bigley of Surprise, AZ, her sons, Jason Wallace of Topeka, KS, Justin (Michelle) Wallace of Overland Park, KS, her daughter, Jessica (Diego) Perkins of Topeka, KS, her brother Michael (Nancy) Bigley of Phoenix, AZ, her brother Steve Wallace of Topeka. She is also survived by her 6 grandchildren; Mason, Ethan, Allie, Jack, Ryan, and Jaiden.

Mandi didn't want people to be sad at her passing and her final wish was not for a funeral, but one last family and friends picnic. Please join us on Saturday, January 5th, 2019, at Crestview Park Shelter House, 4901 SW Shunga Drive, Topeka, Ks where we will Celebrate her life with a barbecue picnic and her services. Fellowship with family and friends will begin at 11 AM, with a short service at 12 PM followed by the picnic. Food and soft drinks will be provided, and if you wish for wine, or another adult beverage, they are welcome, but BYOB.

The family asks that ratherthan sending plants or flowers, a small donation be made to her Go Fund Me pageto help defray her final expenses.

That link is herehttps://www.gofundme.com/mandis-health-and-personal-care?fbclid=IwAR2ypsiPwf3ukaJ1s_7zPsWMPMVJ_gq5t4iGygBUF6XLfmKPrRnKsKNBChQ