Kathleen Frances Kelly Dunn

A flame-haired beauty from the dust-bowl town of Yukon, Oklahoma, Kathleen Frances Kelly Dunn was born to Henry Kelly and Maye Fitzgerald Kelly in 1936. She passed away peacefully on July 25 after a long and valiant fight against Parkinson’s disease. Kathleen was proud of her Irish heritage and a devoted lifelong Catholic.

From her earliest days, Kathleen was spirited and fun-loving. Blessed with a beautiful singing voice and a flare for the dramatic, she dreamed of becoming a singer and an actress. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in music from Sacred Heart College in Wichita, Kansas (now Newman University), she moved to Kansas City, Missouri, to teach. She remained in Kansas City for the rest of her life, where she continued to pursue her love of singing and the theatre.

Kathleen met her future husband, the dashing Jim Dunn, in 1961 on St. Patrick’s Day. Legend has it that Kathleen was playing Irish tunes on the piano in a bar when they first set eyes on each other. A whirlwind romance ensued, followed by a wedding that July. Kathleen and Jim would go on to have four amazing children—geniuses, really. While their marriage would not last, they remained friendly throughout the years.

Kathleen taught at Symington Elementary School in the Hickman Mills School District for more than 30 years. She also attended night school and earned her master’s degree in elementary school administration from UMKC. She would go on to write several musicals for her students to perform, including one about the three branches of government and another about Harry S. Truman. These productions were performed for many years at area elementary schools.

Upon retirement, Kathleen took every advantage to travel the world. She spent seven summers in Oxford, England, taking in the sites while her brother, John Kelly, a university English professor, taught a class on King Arthur. Kathleen enjoyed traveling immensely, and would be contemplating her next trip on every plane ride home. Like her children today, Kathleen never missed a chance to travel, laugh, or go out to eat.

A large, loving family is left to mourn Kathleen, including her four children: Eileen Love (Michael Gunter), Katy FitzGerald (Ted), James Dunn (Brenda), and Shannon Dunn. She is also survived by five grandchildren: Riley Dunn (Nicole), Ryan Dunn, Regan Dunn, Amelia Briggs and Harris Briggs. She just barely missed meeting her first great-grandchild, the adorable James Thomas Dunn.

Our hearts are broken, but Kathleen’s indomitable spirit continues to shine in our lives, bringing us joy and countless precious memories.

A funeral mass will be held for Kathleen at Holy Spirit Catholic Parish in Overland Park, Kansas, on Saturday, August 7, at 11:00 a.m. The service will be followed by a memorial luncheon at Jim Dunn’s home in Overland Park.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be made to Villa St. Francis in Olathe, Kansas, Kathleen’s final home, where she was lovingly cared for.