Amanda Livingston

Amanda Mock Livingston passed away peacefully at her home on Friday, January 13, 2012, after a courageous four-year battle with cancer. Amanda was born in Dodge City, Kansas, on August 29, 1949, to Dr. Lewis E. and Rosemary Mock. She had three siblings, Melody Mock Durso (Ed), Timothy Lucas Mock (Connie) and Dr. Lewis E. Mock III (Jerolyn). She attended elementary through high school in Dodge City. Amanda expressed her creative interests as early as the age of eight when she began starring in the family's variety show at Boot Hill's historical Front Street Replica for nine years running. Her interests in music, theater and dance continued throughout the rest of her life. Amanda, known as Mandy to family and childhood friends, married Gary A. Livingston on December 23, 1969. The couple just celebrated their 42nd anniversary. They were blessed with a son, Nicholas Charles, born August 25, 1980. Much of their social life in Topeka, Kansas, and Spokane, Washington, revolved around Nick's school, music and sports. Many enduring friendships were made through these activities. A graduate of the University of Kansas with a bachelor's degree in journalism, Amanda had a fulfilling career that combined her work with her passion. She began her successful career in Kansas as an announcer for the public radio station on the KU campus, followed by employment with numerous commercial television and radio stations. Then, she moved to the public sector with KTWU Public Television, Topeka, and, ultimately, landed her dream job as an administrator with the Kansas Community Arts Council. Gary and Amanda moved to Spokane when Gary accepted the position of superintendent of Spokane Public Schools in 1993. In Spokane, Amanda continued her pursuit of public television and the arts. She was the membership director for KSPS Public Television for seven years. She also served on a number of volunteer boards, including the Civic Theater and Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture, as well as an advisory council for the Spokane Symphony. The Livingston's took a one-year hiatus to Olympia, returning to Spokane in 2002, at which point Amanda became the Development Director for the Spokane Symphony where, in addition to raising operating funds, she assisted with many major fund-raising projects. Amanda's passions were music of all types (especially classical), theater and dance, which frequently took Gary and Amanda to New York to visit son Nick for a week on Broadway. She shared these common interests with many of her close friends. Amanda and Gary also recently celebrated the wedding of Nick to Corinne Hicks this past May in Charlottesville, Virginia. Amanda had a number of very special walking companions (and they know who they are) plus a devoted prayer support group at Parkwood South. She was wonderfully supported during this journey by many incredible medical professionals, especially Dr. Elizabeth Grosen, her compassionate nurse Gina, and the entire staff of Five South at Providence Sacred Heart. Amanda fought her battle with strength and grace. Amanda will be remembered by everyone for her dignity, sense of humor, and compassion for her friends and all those in her life. Amanda, we will miss you. Funeral services will be at St. Boniface Catholic Church at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 21, 2012 with reception to follow. The family requests no flowers, but suggests donations to KSPS Public Television and/or the Spokane Symphony. You may send your condolences to the family at www.feuerbornfuneral.com .