Betty L. Doherty

She was born Feb. 9, 1925, to Earl and Grace Mercer in Beloit, Kan., and was raised in Wellington, Kan. Growing up in a family of 10 children, her early years in small-town Kansas provided much material for stories she would tell her grandchildren later in life.

On April 17, 1945, she married the love of her life, John Thomas Doherty. Together they raised eight children in Wichita, and a child could not have asked for a better mother. Whether they were participating in sports, music or the theater, the Doherty children could count on Betty and Jack being in the front row for every game or performance.

No grandma was more proud of her grandchildren, and with 22 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren, Betty had plenty to brag about. To her grandchildren, she passed along many stories and life lessons that they cherish to this day, from learning how to play cards to the value of a positive attitude.

In her later years, she took up card-making, a hobby that not only helped pass the time after Jack's death but also kept her mind sharp. Envelopes thick with cards featuring pictures and phrases cut from magazines were mailed or handed out to friends, family and acquaintances.

Betty will be greatly missed by her family and friends, and the Jayhawks have lost one of their biggest fans. But her family rejoices that she is in heaven and again sharing stories with Jack.

Survivors include a sister, Mary Jo Powers, Winfield, Kan.; and eight children, Marian Snider (George), Wichita, Kan.; John Doherty (Maria Jo), Marble Falls, Texas; Susan Carver (RG), Kingsland, Texas; James Doherty (Elaine), Colorado Springs, Colo.; Jeff Doherty (Joan), San Antonio, Texas; Kathy Howland (Chick), Fairway, Kan.; Joe Doherty (Kapryce), Round Rock, Texas; and Debbie Pennington (David), Fairway, Kan.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, December 23, 2013 at McGilley and Hoge Chapel. Friends are welcomed to greet the family after services. The family suggests memorials be made to Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care. Online condolences may be left at www.mcgilleyhoge.com.

Arr: McGilley & Hoge Johnson County Memorial Chapel, 8024 Santa Fe Dr., Overland Park, KS 66204.