She was born on April 22, 1930 in Kansas City, Missouri. After graduating from Paseo High School, she attended Baker University where she met her husband, Paul. She was a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Education from UMKC. She later earned a Master’s degree in Education from the University of Kansas.
She began her teaching career at The Barstow School, and taught second and third grade for many years in the Shawnee Mission School District at Valley View and Westwood View Elementary Schools.
She enjoyed her gardens. She and Paul also were active in the Greater Kansas City Golden Retriever Club where their dogs were champion utility dogs. Among her favorite pastimes were knitting Christmas stockings for family members. She enjoyed being active in her children’s activities and those of her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
She was a member of Village Presbyterian Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul; her parents, Richard and Louise Slater; and her brother, Richard. Survivors include her son Paul (Marsha), her daughter Nancy (Ken )Parker; her grandchildren, Ashley (Ryan) Rosche, Elizabeth ”Beth” (Gary-Paul) Robinett, Jennifer (Mike) Davis, and Catherine “Abbey” (Jason) Thomas; and her great grandchildren Hayden, Owen-Paul, Kinsley, Riley, Alison, Isaiah, Cutler, Eli, Liberty, and LaRee.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Shawnee Mission Education Foundation or Lakeview Village Foundation.
