‘He used his gifts to help people,’: KC banker baked to show love to friends, family
Maurice Washington was raised alongside his two older siblings in a home where the air was always filled with the inviting aroma of delicious meals.
Their mother, who single-handedly raised the children while working at a department store, would come home each evening after a long day and prepare a wholesome meal using only the most basic ingredients. Although Maurice was the youngest of the Washington siblings, he recognized the strain his mother faced and, by all accounts, became her eager helper in the kitchen.
“My mother was a great cook and he just learned everything she did just by watching and became a great cook very young,” said his older brother, Milton Washington. “He was great in the kitchen and while I was out getting in trouble he was in that kitchen with my mom and my sister learning.”
Maurice Washington, a banker with Bread Financial, died Oct. 20 at the age of 58 after a long bout with kidney issues.
His sister, Ernestine Washington, said that while the family is deeply saddened by the loss of her brother, she is grateful that his struggles with health no longer affect him. Reflecting on her brother as a fun-loving, vibrant, and outgoing person, Ernestine recalls how his kidney problems eventually prevented him from fully enjoying life. Particularly when he was no longer able to work or bake.
“He struggled with kidney problems for years and did dialysis but it was a lot for him and his body,” his sister said. “It really robbed him of his independence and mobility. He would do dialysis on Monday, recover on a Tuesday and by Wednesday you were back for another treatment.”
Washington recalls that his younger brother carried on the tradition of infusing love into his cooking, using food as a way to show people how much they mattered to him.
His sister said that this time of year will be particularly difficult for the family without her younger brother. She recalls that during holiday gatherings, he always enhanced every occasion with the delicious food and desserts he would bring.
After her brother’s passing, she was surprised to learn just how far his charitable baking efforts had reached.
“I knew he baked things and gave them away for free but people would say he baked this for a baby shower or he baked me a cake for my wedding. He used his gifts to help people,” she said.
Although many of Washington’s friends and family urged him to pursue a career with his culinary talents, he was content to keep baking as a hobby, using it to bring joy to others.
Both siblings said they are proud and honored to learn about the numerous lives their younger brother touched through his generosity.
Washington said when they were kids he used to tease his younger brother about being the “good kid.” Now, he said, he’s proud of the man his brother became.
“He was big on faith since he was a kid and sung in the choir,” Washington said about his younger brother. “I used to call him choir boy or church boy to tease him. But he was a really good kid and became a really good man.”
Other Remembrances
Paul Scott
Paul Scott, United States Marine Corps. veteran and technician, died Oct. 27. He was 76.
Scott was born on July 14, 1948, in Kansas City to Cornelius and LaJoy Scott. He graduated from Central High School, where he thrived in the school’s JROTC program.
Upon graduating, he enlisted in the Marines. He served in the Vietnam War and earned a Purple Heart for valor and sacrifice. After leaving the Marine Corps., Scott attended the University of Missouri-Kansas City and later worked as a technician at IBM.
He is survived by his children, Atoh Scott and Isaac Scott; his siblings, Bruce Scott, Marion Scott, Barbara Cahill and Altha Scott; along with a host of friends and family.
William Cook
William Cook, Army National Guard veteran, died on Nov. 6. He was 50.
Cook was born on February 25, 1974, in Kansas City to William and Freda Cook.
He graduated from Northeast High School and went on to attend Lincoln University. Cook also served in the Army National Guard for several years and later worked at Litho Printing Company.
He is remembered by his mother, Freda Suber; son, Andrew A. Cook; sisters, Keisha Cook, Shamara Suber, Derek Suber; along with a host of friends family and loved ones.
