Carolyn S. Doherty

Carolyn S. Pruitt Doherty, 75, of Paola, KS, passed away September 30, 2024 at her home.

Carolyn was born May 15, 1949, in Kansas City, MO to Roger and Louise (Morehouse) Pruitt, and grew up in Kansas City, KS attending Turner High School.

In 1970, Carolyn moved to Miami County, living in Fontana for a number of years before moving to Paola. She was a homemaker while her kids were young, constantly using her creativity and endless energy teaching herself new things like decorating cakes or restoring antique trunks using those skills to make extra money. In the early 1980’s Carolyn began her 18 year career at Gills Studios in Lenexa, KS working as a die cutting specialist. In 2002, she accepted a position in the kitchen at Lakemary Center, preparing meals for children and adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities. She enjoyed the people she worked with and loved getting to know the students at Lakemary until her retirement in 2020.

Anyone who met Carolyn knew she had a heart of gold and limitless energy and determination. She never sat still. She loved to be outside working on flowers or in the garden. When she couldn't be outside, she loved working on crafts; whether it was making quilts, crocheting, or DIYing her latest decorating idea, she was always hard at work. She was the queen of DIY long before Pinterest was a thing.

Carolyn is survived by her husband, Michael R. Doherty; son Bob Pretz and his partner Penny Bell of Richmond, KS; daughter BJ Thomas-Wilson and her husband Jeremy of Overland Park, KS; grandchildren Christa Gann and her husband Colt (Herington, KS); Riley Johnson (Kansas City, MO), Tanner and Eliana Wilson; great grandchildren Clayton and Dayton; sister Linda Thomas and husband Jim (Lane, KS) and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Carolyn was preceded in death by her granddaughter, Regan Johnson; and her sister, Rita Elliott.

A service will be held Saturday, October 5th at Dengel and Son Funeral Home in Paola. The family will receive guests beginning at 10:00 AM with a memorial service beginning at 11:30 AM. Friends and family are invited to Hillsdale Tavern immediately following the service for a celebration of life.

The family suggests memorial contributions to the Paola Community Garden in care of the Miami County Community Foundation. Contributions can be made online at //ShiftingGearsForRegan.com/community-garden-1 .