Corinne Teressa Demko passed away peacefully on September 27, 2026, in Overland Park, Kansas. She will be remembered with love by her family, friends, former students, and the countless people whose lives she touched throughout her life.
Born on February 26, 1952, in New Jersey, to John and Dorothy Gleason, Cory was blessed with a fierce spirit, wonderful sense of humor, and big, open heart. It was in New Jersey that she met the love of her life and husband, Allan Demko. Together, they built a home, family and wonderful careers in New Jersey, Vermont, New Hampshire, and finally Kansas.
In her professional life, Cory was a beloved teacher at Laconia Head Start for 25 years, dedicating herself to helping young children learn, grow, and feel loved and supported. Her warmth, kindness, patience, and genuine love for children left a lasting impression on countless lives. The children and families she served held a very special place in her heart, and the impact she made will continue to live on through the many lives she touched.
Cory’s greatest joy, however, was her family. She was proud of and is survived by her three sons, Luke, Mathew, and Andrew Demko. And it was during her retirement in Kansas and frequent trips to California that she took on her most cherished role as “Nanny” to her beloved grandchildren. Nanny tried to never miss any of their events and, if she did, loved seeing highlights and getting a play-by-play shortly thereafter. Supporting her family and celebrating their accomplishments brought her tremendous joy.
Cory was preceded in death by her husband Alan S. Demko; her parents John and Dorothy Gleason; and her sisters Suanne Cordani and Valerie Gleason. She is survived by her sisters Christine Heimbuch and her husband James; her sister Kathleen Gleason; her brother John Gleason and his wife Carol; her son Matthew Demko; her son Andrew Demko and his wife Courtney Demko; her son Luke Demko and his wife Kimberly Demko; and her cherished grandchildren, Samantha Demko, Olivia Demko, Coralen Demko and Easton Demko.
Those who knew Cory knew she had many passions (books, card games, mahjong, the Boston Red Sox, and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, to name a few), and she never hesitated to share her enthusiasm for the things she loved.
Cory will be deeply missed by her family and all who had the privilege of knowing her. Her kindness, laughter, love, and generous spirit will remain in the hearts of those she leaves behind.
Her memory will live on through the generations of her family, through the children she taught, and through all those fortunate enough to have known and loved her.
A celebration of her life will be held at Mary Queen of Angels Church in Fort Scott, Kansas on October 8, 2026, at 10:00 am with burial at St. Mary’s cemetery following the mass. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Corinne’s memory to St. Mary’s School in Fort Scott, Kansas.