Kandi Murphy McCasland, President
Originally from Oklahoma, Kandi has lived in Kansas City for 25 years. She holds a BS degree in Psychology from the University of Oklahoma and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Oklahoma State University. She is a small animal veterinarian. She returned to the board after serving three terms from 2002 – 2011, during which time she initiated the KCRS’s Children’s Program, served as Chairman of the Memory and Friendship Rose program and worked as a garden groomer. Parents of teenage twins, she and her husband, Mark, have been KCRS supporters for many years. An avid gardener, she participates as a competitor in the KCRS Rose Shows. She is a sustaining member of the Junior League of Kansas City Missouri and a Perennial Partner of Powell Gardens.
Originally from Oklahoma, Kandi has lived in Kansas City for 25 years. She holds a BS degree in Psychology from the University of Oklahoma and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Oklahoma State University. She is a small animal veterinarian. She returned to the board after serving three terms from 2002 – 2011, during which time she initiated the KCRS’s Children’s Program, served as Chairman of the Memory and Friendship Rose program and worked as a garden groomer. Parents of teenage twins, she and her husband, Mark, have been KCRS supporters for many years. An avid gardener, she participates as a competitor in the KCRS Rose Shows. She is a sustaining member of the Junior League of Kansas City Missouri and a Perennial Partner of Powell Gardens.
Laura Dickinson, Vice-President
Laura is a passionate rose grower and Consulting Rosarian for the American Rose Society. She has a special interest in easy-care landscape roses, and her motto is: Roses are easier than tomatoes! She is also an Extension Master Gardener, and was the Volunteer Coordinator for the Johnson County EMGs for 10 years. . Laura has been Rose Show Chair since 2018 and coordinates the Consulting Rosarians and Ask a Rosarian program for KCRS. She volunteers for LiteracyKC and Meals on Wheels.
Laura is a passionate rose grower and Consulting Rosarian for the American Rose Society. She has a special interest in easy-care landscape roses, and her motto is: Roses are easier than tomatoes! She is also an Extension Master Gardener, and was the Volunteer Coordinator for the Johnson County EMGs for 10 years. . Laura has been Rose Show Chair since 2018 and coordinates the Consulting Rosarians and Ask a Rosarian program for KCRS. She volunteers for LiteracyKC and Meals on Wheels.
John Riley, Secretary
An American Rose Society Consulting Rosarian, John is active growing roses, exhibiting roses and answering our rose questions. John is serving his ninth consecutive year on the Board and his eighth year as KCRS Secretary and Roses in Review Chair. He is the American Rose Society Central District Director and serves on the ARS Board of Directors. A mechanical engineer, John designed power plants and communication data centers for Black & Veatch for 37 years. He is also an Eagle Scout, a Lyric Opera supporter, a volunteer usher at the Folly, and cheers on Sporting KC and KC NWSL.
An American Rose Society Consulting Rosarian, John is active growing roses, exhibiting roses and answering our rose questions. John is serving his ninth consecutive year on the Board and his eighth year as KCRS Secretary and Roses in Review Chair. He is the American Rose Society Central District Director and serves on the ARS Board of Directors. A mechanical engineer, John designed power plants and communication data centers for Black & Veatch for 37 years. He is also an Eagle Scout, a Lyric Opera supporter, a volunteer usher at the Folly, and cheers on Sporting KC and KC NWSL.
Vicki Riffle, Treasurer
Vicki Riffle is a native of Kansas City and has enjoyed the Rose Garden for over 60 years. After a career in real estate, in sales and management, she retired to pursue volunteer activities, travel, entertaining and spending time with her six grandchildren. She loves to attend classes through SPARK (Senior Peers Actively Renewing Knowledge) and Shepard Center of Kansas City. Past board memberships include Literacy Kansas City. Currently she volunteers at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Lead to Read and works as a Groomer in the Rose Garden.
Vicki Riffle is a native of Kansas City and has enjoyed the Rose Garden for over 60 years. After a career in real estate, in sales and management, she retired to pursue volunteer activities, travel, entertaining and spending time with her six grandchildren. She loves to attend classes through SPARK (Senior Peers Actively Renewing Knowledge) and Shepard Center of Kansas City. Past board memberships include Literacy Kansas City. Currently she volunteers at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Lead to Read and works as a Groomer in the Rose Garden.
Maria Coughlin
Born in Europe, raised in Australia and a resident of Kansas City for almost 50 years, Maria is wife to Joseph, mother to two sons, Samuel and Andrew, and nana to seven grandchildren. Now retired, she was a medical Social Worker at Children’s Mercy Hospital for 35 years. For almost a decade she also resettled 600+ Soviet Jewish emigres. She is a community activist and always a peoples’ advocate, having learned from her parents to leave this world a better and more beautiful place. Maria is a proud recipient of the KC Beautiful Award, “The George,” for her work on their neighborhood residential garden and is a volunteer groomer for the Laura Conyers Smith Municipal Rose Garden. Her hobbies include building miniature houses, knitting, needlepoint, gardening, reading, traveling, and hosting her monthly women’s poker group.
Born in Europe, raised in Australia and a resident of Kansas City for almost 50 years, Maria is wife to Joseph, mother to two sons, Samuel and Andrew, and nana to seven grandchildren. Now retired, she was a medical Social Worker at Children’s Mercy Hospital for 35 years. For almost a decade she also resettled 600+ Soviet Jewish emigres. She is a community activist and always a peoples’ advocate, having learned from her parents to leave this world a better and more beautiful place. Maria is a proud recipient of the KC Beautiful Award, “The George,” for her work on their neighborhood residential garden and is a volunteer groomer for the Laura Conyers Smith Municipal Rose Garden. Her hobbies include building miniature houses, knitting, needlepoint, gardening, reading, traveling, and hosting her monthly women’s poker group.
Betsy Beasley
Betsy has always been active in the arts and education. She currently serves as KCRS Chair of Adult Programming and served for three years as Treasurer. She served as President of Parents Association and as Clothesline chairperson at Pembroke Hill, and has served in officer positions on the boards for Kansas City Literacy, The Writers Place, and the Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art. She currently volunteers on other boards including UMKC Emeritus College, and the Cockefair Chair Advisory Board. Retired from UMKC, Betsy stays busy with university classes and reading.
Betsy has always been active in the arts and education. She currently serves as KCRS Chair of Adult Programming and served for three years as Treasurer. She served as President of Parents Association and as Clothesline chairperson at Pembroke Hill, and has served in officer positions on the boards for Kansas City Literacy, The Writers Place, and the Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art. She currently volunteers on other boards including UMKC Emeritus College, and the Cockefair Chair Advisory Board. Retired from UMKC, Betsy stays busy with university classes and reading.
Martha Comment
Martha is an athlete who loves biking, travel, tennis and workouts. She is Immediate Past President of KCRS and serving her ninth consecutive year on the Board. She is an excellent organizer and co-chaired Wine & Roses. She volunteers for Symphony League and for Saint Luke’s Hospital Hospice House. Martha is a Garden Groomer and has served on the Garden Committee. Retired from her career as a clinical social worker and therapist, Martha enjoys time with her grandchildren.
Martha is an athlete who loves biking, travel, tennis and workouts. She is Immediate Past President of KCRS and serving her ninth consecutive year on the Board. She is an excellent organizer and co-chaired Wine & Roses. She volunteers for Symphony League and for Saint Luke’s Hospital Hospice House. Martha is a Garden Groomer and has served on the Garden Committee. Retired from her career as a clinical social worker and therapist, Martha enjoys time with her grandchildren.
Lauren English
Originally from Oklahoma City, Lauren has lived in the Kansas City area for 35 years. She holds a BS degree in Journalism from the University of Kansas. She returns to the board after serving three terms from 2001 to 2007. During that period she served as Board Secretary, Publicity Chairperson for 75th Anniversary, and Trophy Chair. Lauren and her husband, Richard, have been KCRS supporters for many years and are Lifetime Members. Her passion for growing roses began with her paternal grandmother. She has grown roses of all varieties for 20 years and has competed in the KCRS Rose Show for 17 years. Lauren and Richard have three grown children, one son-in-law, and two granddaughters. Lauren hopes to pass on her love of roses and the Laura Conyers Smith Municipal Rose Garden to the next generation of her family and the metropolitan and regional community.
Originally from Oklahoma City, Lauren has lived in the Kansas City area for 35 years. She holds a BS degree in Journalism from the University of Kansas. She returns to the board after serving three terms from 2001 to 2007. During that period she served as Board Secretary, Publicity Chairperson for 75th Anniversary, and Trophy Chair. Lauren and her husband, Richard, have been KCRS supporters for many years and are Lifetime Members. Her passion for growing roses began with her paternal grandmother. She has grown roses of all varieties for 20 years and has competed in the KCRS Rose Show for 17 years. Lauren and Richard have three grown children, one son-in-law, and two granddaughters. Lauren hopes to pass on her love of roses and the Laura Conyers Smith Municipal Rose Garden to the next generation of her family and the metropolitan and regional community.
Ann Greene
A lifelong Kansas City resident, Ann has a degree in journalism with a support in photography from Creighton University. She is a groomer for the Laura Conyers Smith Municipal Rose Garden, an Extension Master Gardener in Kansas City, has served on the Kansas City Track Club Board, and volunteered with SafeHome. Currently, she is a Big Sister to Riya in Big Brothers Big Sisters Kansas City. Ann and her husband, Jim, enjoy hosting dinners for international visitors and friends through Global Ties KC. Her hobbies include cycling, running, knitting, cooking, baking and gardening.
A lifelong Kansas City resident, Ann has a degree in journalism with a support in photography from Creighton University. She is a groomer for the Laura Conyers Smith Municipal Rose Garden, an Extension Master Gardener in Kansas City, has served on the Kansas City Track Club Board, and volunteered with SafeHome. Currently, she is a Big Sister to Riya in Big Brothers Big Sisters Kansas City. Ann and her husband, Jim, enjoy hosting dinners for international visitors and friends through Global Ties KC. Her hobbies include cycling, running, knitting, cooking, baking and gardening.
Jim Holswade
Before retiring as a professional mechanical engineer, Jim spent twelve years as a project manager, primarily for data center design and construction projects, for Black & Veatch. While at B&V, Jim was an active mechanical team volunteer in the Christmas in October program. He and his wife, Johanna, have been garden groomers since joining the Kansas City Rose Society in 2018. They have two grown children. Jim also enjoys reading, pheasant and quail hunting and golfing.
Before retiring as a professional mechanical engineer, Jim spent twelve years as a project manager, primarily for data center design and construction projects, for Black & Veatch. While at B&V, Jim was an active mechanical team volunteer in the Christmas in October program. He and his wife, Johanna, have been garden groomers since joining the Kansas City Rose Society in 2018. They have two grown children. Jim also enjoys reading, pheasant and quail hunting and golfing.
Barbara McCanse
Barbara grew up and was educated in Columbia, MO. She obtained her M.D. degree from the University of Missouri School of Medicine and had a private practice of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in the Kansas City area for 32 years before retiring. While working, she raised 3 children, co-authored a book on childhood mental health and held several offices in different medical organizations. After retiring she founded the Loch Lloyd Garden Club while living there. She is currently on the Board of the KC Medical Society Retired Physician Organization and the Alumni Board of Governors of the MU School of Medicine. She also volunteers at the St. Luke’s Hospice House and is a groomer at the Laura Conyers Smith Rose Garden. In addition to gardening, she loves to hang out with her grandchildren, walk her dog, travel, read, audit history classes at UMKC, do yoga, tai chi and water aerobics.
Barbara grew up and was educated in Columbia, MO. She obtained her M.D. degree from the University of Missouri School of Medicine and had a private practice of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in the Kansas City area for 32 years before retiring. While working, she raised 3 children, co-authored a book on childhood mental health and held several offices in different medical organizations. After retiring she founded the Loch Lloyd Garden Club while living there. She is currently on the Board of the KC Medical Society Retired Physician Organization and the Alumni Board of Governors of the MU School of Medicine. She also volunteers at the St. Luke’s Hospice House and is a groomer at the Laura Conyers Smith Rose Garden. In addition to gardening, she loves to hang out with her grandchildren, walk her dog, travel, read, audit history classes at UMKC, do yoga, tai chi and water aerobics.
Betsy Parker
Betsy currently serves as the Chairman for Wine and Roses. She has lived in Kansas City for 27 years, having grown up in Cincinnati. She and husband Geoff have lived and worked in several towns and cities over the years, starting in Boston and moving west with each subsequent move. She has been an active volunteer in each community, working with a broad variety of nonprofits in various capacities. She has 2 grown sons in Chicago and a 4 ½ -year-old grandson. Betsy is an avid gardener and loves to visit gardens of all kinds. Betsy and Geoff consider the Laura Conyers Smith Rose Garden to be almost part of their front yard and treasure it. She will continue to promote the Garden to her neighborhood and beyond and to learn even more about roses and our Garden.
Betsy currently serves as the Chairman for Wine and Roses. She has lived in Kansas City for 27 years, having grown up in Cincinnati. She and husband Geoff have lived and worked in several towns and cities over the years, starting in Boston and moving west with each subsequent move. She has been an active volunteer in each community, working with a broad variety of nonprofits in various capacities. She has 2 grown sons in Chicago and a 4 ½ -year-old grandson. Betsy is an avid gardener and loves to visit gardens of all kinds. Betsy and Geoff consider the Laura Conyers Smith Rose Garden to be almost part of their front yard and treasure it. She will continue to promote the Garden to her neighborhood and beyond and to learn even more about roses and our Garden.
Margie Paxton
Margie studied Art History and Journalism at Northwestern University, completing a senior-level marketing program at Stanford University, and received a B.A. in Business Administration and a Master of Journalism - Integrated Marketing Communications degrees. She worked at Frank Paxton Company; Shughart Thompson and Kilroy (Polsinelli); and KCP&L (Evergy). Margie volunteers at KU Medical Center and serves on the SPARK (Senior Peers Actively Renewing Knowledge) Curriculum Committee. She has prepared the Rose Society quarterly newsletter for several years and served as a groomer.
Margie studied Art History and Journalism at Northwestern University, completing a senior-level marketing program at Stanford University, and received a B.A. in Business Administration and a Master of Journalism - Integrated Marketing Communications degrees. She worked at Frank Paxton Company; Shughart Thompson and Kilroy (Polsinelli); and KCP&L (Evergy). Margie volunteers at KU Medical Center and serves on the SPARK (Senior Peers Actively Renewing Knowledge) Curriculum Committee. She has prepared the Rose Society quarterly newsletter for several years and served as a groomer.
Linda Rostenberg
Linda has lived in Kansas City since 1972. Currently she serves as KCRS Communications Chair. She and her husband Richard live across the street from the rose garden, so being a garden groomer was an easy decision. She has been a writer and editor for newspapers, magazines, books, and advertising agencies, and was vice president of member and public relations and communications for many years for the world’s largest women’s association, Beta Sigma Phi. Together, the Rostenbergs owned the first video store in Kansas City, Hollywood at Home; she also ran her own advertising agency. Linda enjoys volunteer work for Lead To Read, Harvesters, Alvin Ailey and The Nelson-Atkins Art Museum.
Linda has lived in Kansas City since 1972. Currently she serves as KCRS Communications Chair. She and her husband Richard live across the street from the rose garden, so being a garden groomer was an easy decision. She has been a writer and editor for newspapers, magazines, books, and advertising agencies, and was vice president of member and public relations and communications for many years for the world’s largest women’s association, Beta Sigma Phi. Together, the Rostenbergs owned the first video store in Kansas City, Hollywood at Home; she also ran her own advertising agency. Linda enjoys volunteer work for Lead To Read, Harvesters, Alvin Ailey and The Nelson-Atkins Art Museum.
Joan Taylor Sherman
Joan loves to be busy, with her big family, dogs, gardening, cooking, sewing arts, and reading. A St. Louis native, Joan received her BS in Medical Technology and worked in clinical microbiology. After obtaining her MBA at St. Louis University she was recruited by KC’s Marion Labs where she worked in research, marketing, and professional and government relations. Joan has served on many national and local Boards ranging from Girl Scouts, St. Peter’s School, American Geriatric Society, American Society for Microbiology, American Society on Aging, UMKC Women’s Mentor Program, and more. Joan served on the KCRS Board from 1998 – 2008 chairing various Committees, as Vice President of Membership, and President. She returned to the Board in 2016 as Board Development Chair. In addition to KCRS, Joan volunteers for the Shawnee Mission School District and Heart to Heart International.
Joan loves to be busy, with her big family, dogs, gardening, cooking, sewing arts, and reading. A St. Louis native, Joan received her BS in Medical Technology and worked in clinical microbiology. After obtaining her MBA at St. Louis University she was recruited by KC’s Marion Labs where she worked in research, marketing, and professional and government relations. Joan has served on many national and local Boards ranging from Girl Scouts, St. Peter’s School, American Geriatric Society, American Society for Microbiology, American Society on Aging, UMKC Women’s Mentor Program, and more. Joan served on the KCRS Board from 1998 – 2008 chairing various Committees, as Vice President of Membership, and President. She returned to the Board in 2016 as Board Development Chair. In addition to KCRS, Joan volunteers for the Shawnee Mission School District and Heart to Heart International.
R.T. “Taylor” Smith,
Taylor is an award-winning designer and illustrator. His work has been featured nationally by iconic taste-makers like Vanity Fair, Lincoln Center and Yale University. He grew up in southern Missouri, the heart of the Ozarks, and took root in Kansas City in 2011. Locally, he is active in the nonprofit sector and is passionate about the preservation and growth of Kansas City’s landscape. Taylor has worked with the Kansas City Ballet, the Kansas City Star, 435 Magazine, the National World War I Museum and Memorial, the Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City, and Starlight Theatre.
Taylor is an award-winning designer and illustrator. His work has been featured nationally by iconic taste-makers like Vanity Fair, Lincoln Center and Yale University. He grew up in southern Missouri, the heart of the Ozarks, and took root in Kansas City in 2011. Locally, he is active in the nonprofit sector and is passionate about the preservation and growth of Kansas City’s landscape. Taylor has worked with the Kansas City Ballet, the Kansas City Star, 435 Magazine, the National World War I Museum and Memorial, the Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City, and Starlight Theatre.
Julie Spaeth
Julia and her husband moved to Kansas City in 1977. An elementary education teacher, she taught in both private and public schools in Kansas City, Missouri. In 2015, Julia retired from her teaching career and became a groomer in the Laura Conyers Smith Rose Garden in Loose Park. She learned a great deal about growing roses and the work of the Kansas City Rose Society. She joined the KCRS Board in 2017, working on Children’s Programs. Julia and her husband have two grown sons and three wonderful grandchildren.
Julia and her husband moved to Kansas City in 1977. An elementary education teacher, she taught in both private and public schools in Kansas City, Missouri. In 2015, Julia retired from her teaching career and became a groomer in the Laura Conyers Smith Rose Garden in Loose Park. She learned a great deal about growing roses and the work of the Kansas City Rose Society. She joined the KCRS Board in 2017, working on Children’s Programs. Julia and her husband have two grown sons and three wonderful grandchildren.
Marylou Turner
Marylou and her husband moved to Kansas City after graduating from the University of Kansas where she majored in mathematics. After teaching for seven years and completing an MA degree at UMKC, she retired to do private tutoring in math and volunteer work. Marylou serves as Membership Chairman for KCRS. Other volunteer activities have included Auxiliaries and Board of the Kansas City Symphony, Auxiliaries of the UMKC Conservatory, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Vanderslice Committee of the Kansas City Art Institute, Woman’s City Club and its Foundation, the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, the League of American Orchestras Volunteer Council and her sorority locally and nationally.
Marylou and her husband moved to Kansas City after graduating from the University of Kansas where she majored in mathematics. After teaching for seven years and completing an MA degree at UMKC, she retired to do private tutoring in math and volunteer work. Marylou serves as Membership Chairman for KCRS. Other volunteer activities have included Auxiliaries and Board of the Kansas City Symphony, Auxiliaries of the UMKC Conservatory, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Vanderslice Committee of the Kansas City Art Institute, Woman’s City Club and its Foundation, the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, the League of American Orchestras Volunteer Council and her sorority locally and nationally.
