Kathleen Derrick

Kathleen “Kathy” Derrick, 68, passed away Thursday, Feb. 14 in Liberty, Mo. The daughter of Jesse Derrick and Mary Anne (Osredker) Derrick was born and raised in Springfield, Mo, and later moved to Kansas City. She is fondly remembered as a treasured mother, a caring sister, a devoted daughter and a beloved friend.

Kathy developed a love of reading at an early age, a pastime that stayed with her throughout her life. She learned speed reading in elementary school at St. Agnes, and quickly devoured every book in the school library. Reading remained the one constant hobby throughout her life.

She also showcased exquisite skill as an artist as a child, selling her first paintings as a teenager. Kathy quickly mastered any technique at which she tried her hand, excelling as a painter, illustrator, weaver and basketmaker among other skills. She later served as an officer for the Missouri Basketweavers Guild and sold her work under the name Baskets On Main.

After graduating from Parkview High School, Kathy studied art at Southwest Missouri State University. She went to work at Southwestern Bell Telephone in 1973, serving various roles for the company and AT&T until 2001. She was among the first female installation and repair managers in the company, taking great pride in succeeding in a job normally dominated by men. She also dedicated countless hours with the AT&T Pioneers volunteer network, contributing to community events throughout the Springfield area.

Upon her retirement from the phone company, Kathy joined the Home Builders Association of Greater Kansas City as permits coordinator, where she had the opportunity to work alongside her son Matthew. Working part-time allowed her to enjoy her many hobbies, which included traveling to visit her family, watching movies, reading books and creating arts and crafts.

Friends and family will remember Kathy for her compassion and generosity. She greatly valued all of the friendships built during her life, and would eagerly drop everything to help a friend in need. She strongly believed in justice and fairness, values she instilled in those around her.

Kathy was preceded in death by her mother Mary Anne (Osredker) Derrick and father Jesse Derrick and her brother-in-law Frank Floyd. She is survived by her son Matthew Derrick and Nancy Lloyd of Kansas City, Mo.; sister Carol Floyd of Springfield, Mo.; sister Karen Pentecost (Mike) of Shawnee, Kan.; brother Kevin Derrick of Arlington, Texas, sister Kristi Thaemlitz (Kevin Reed) of Houston, Texas; brother Kelly Derrick (Melissa) of Killeen, Texas; niece Megan Rolloos (Jeromy) of Springfield, Mo.; nephew Jason Pentecost of Shawnee, Kan.; and her best friend Pauli Kendrick (Ed) of Weatherby Lake, Mo.

Services for Kathy will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 23 at Herman Lohmeyer Funeral Home at 500 E. Walnut Street in Springfield. Burial will follow at noon at Resurrection Cemetery at 4528 W. Division St. in Springfield. In lieu flower, Kathy would appreciate her friends supporting Democratic candidates for public office or making a contribution to a local reading program.

Permanent condolences, stories, or tributes may be left at HHLohmeyer.com.