Cecilia Ann Marhofer, beloved mother, educator, and performer, passed away peacefully on September 16, 2025, at Cedar Village Long Term Care in Ness City, Kansas, at the age of 87. Born on July 28, 1938, in Hutchinson, Kansas, she was the cherished only child of Charles and Allene (Riggs) Jones.

Cecilia grew up in Protection, Kansas where her life as an only child sparked a vibrant imagination. A shy yet spirited young girl, she dreamed of gracing Broadway stages, her heart always drawn to music, singing, and dancing. While she helped in her father's pharmacy, her true passion was music – singing, dancing, and sharing her joy for the arts with others. Cecilia graduated from Protection High School in 1956 and later earned a degree from Bethany College, setting the stage for a remarkable career in music education.

Cecilia's passion for music touched countless lives as she taught in schools across Kansas, including Paradise, Russell, Kensington, McCracken, La Crosse.  She concluded her career in Ness City, where she retired in 1986 after six years of leading the band program. Beyond the classroom, she shared her expertise through private lessons in band and voice, served as a judge at Fort Hays State Band Camp and the La Crosse Music Festival, and inspired students with her boundless enthusiasm. Her creativity extended to painting, and after retirement, she traveled the world with her husband, Basil, through Rotary International.

Known for her warm humor and ability to light up any room, Cecilia was an active member of PEO, where her storytelling and infectious spirit left lasting impressions. Her life was a symphony of connection, creativity, and joy.

In February 1962, Cecilia married her college sweetheart, Thomas Lewand, in Protection, Kansas. Together, they taught and performed music and raised their two children, Tara and Tony.  The couple later divorced. On September 5, 1987, Cecilia married Basil Marhofer in Ness City, sharing many joyful years until his passing on September 6, 2017.

Cecilia is survived by her daughter, Tara Frey of Ellis, Kansas; her son, Tony Lewand of Houston, Texas; two nieces, Janet Clark and Cheryl (Larry) Thomas; and many extended family members. She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Allene Jones; her husband, Basil Marhofer; and her son-in-law, Charles Frey.

A funeral service to celebrate Cecilia's life will be held on Monday, September 22, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at Ness City Methodist Church, followed by burial at Ness City Cemetery.

Friends and family are invited to a viewing at Fitzgerald Funeral Home on Sunday, September 21, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., with the family present from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Memorials donations may be made to the Angel Fund at Heartland Veterinarian Clinic in Ness City.

The family welcomes memories and words of support in the guest book, where Cecilia's legacy of music and love will live on.