Obituary: Naomi Athalene ‘Atha’ McNay

Dr. Naomi Athalene ?Atha? McNay, 65, of Wichita left this world on Sunday, March 27, 2016.

Atha was a Wichita native who loved her fair city.photo_033002_C0A80181080f83200AVVIL63014E_1_bebb0b7f752c39e605ca71bf0679bfc6_20160331

She was born June 15, 1950, the third child of four to Naomi Dutton and Athal Simers.

A life-long learner, she earned an undergraduate degree from Friends University, a master’s degree from Wichita State University and a doctorate from Capella University. While at Friends, Atha met Scott McNay and married him on July 27, 1974.

Her entire career focused on helping others: she taught special education classes, wrote Sunday School curriculum for the Southern Baptist Sunday School Board, led a Sunday School class for persons with special needs and educated teachers on best practices for teaching special needs. Most recently, Atha coached people with Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder, helping them make their own goals and guiding them as they met each one.

Atha is survived by her husband, Scott McNay; daughter, Sarah McNay; son, Kyle McNay; daughter, Anna Voth; son-in-law, Ben Voth; and granddaughter, Amelia Voth, all of Wichita. The Voths are former Newton residents. She was preceded in death by her mother, father and three brothers.

Her family invites you to a memorial service to celebrate her life at 10 a.m. Monday, April 4, at Olivet Baptist Church, 3440 W. 13th St. N., Wichita, KS 67203.

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