Kathleen M. Apprill

1943 - 2023

Kathleen M. Apprill
March 31, 1943 - July 15, 2023
Overland Park, Kansas - Kathy Apprill, devoted wife, loving mother, and dedicated teacher passed away on July 15, 2023, leaving behind an indelible legacy for all who had the fortune of knowing her kind and feisty spirit.
Kathy spent her first years with her mother in Minnesota before they joined her father at an R&R outpost in Japan for three years. The family eventually settled in Nevada, MO where her father became a newspaper man and Kathy's adventures continued. She embarked on solo train journeys every summer to spend weeks with her aunt and cousins. Her insatiable appetite for knowledge led her to devour all of the books in the neighborhood library (every single one!), shaping a love for reading that she would eventually pass on to her children and students. When she was eighteen, she embarked on a trip around the world, sending back dispatches to her father for publication in his local paper.
Kathy's most meaningful adventure began when she met and married her true partner in life, Paul. High school sweethearts, Paul and Kathy witnessed more than sixty years of the others' lives. Together they helped each other build careers, relationships, and most importantly - a family. Despite facing the devastating loss of stillborn twins and her beloved son Paul, Kathy's strength and love endured, and she found solace in faith and family. She never let these losses hold her back, even achieving her master's degree shortly after burying Paul.
Throughout her adult life, Kathy devoted herself wholeheartedly to her teaching profession. As a 7th and 8th grade language arts teacher, she left an enduring mark on the lives of her students, implementing many special programs that remain amongst their happiest memories to this day. Her dedication and passion for education went far beyond the classroom, instilling a love for learning in generations of young minds.
Kathy was quite possibly the world's hardest worker, but she still found time for fun. She was an avid gardener, voracious reader and a very discernable collector of antiques. She loved catching up with her longtime friends and spent many nights on the phone (not) gossiping.
In the last six years of her life, Kathy courageously battled cancer with unwavering determination and strength. Her resilience and fighting spirit inspired all who knew her, as she never allowed her illness to diminish her love for life or her dedication to her loved ones. In the end, she beat the cancer. It wasn't the cancer who took her– her body simply gave out shortly after completing years of rigorous treatments.
Kathy Apprill will be deeply missed by her family, friends, colleagues, and all those whose lives she touched. Her unwavering love, strength, and passion for life will forever be cherished in the hearts of those who were fortunate enough to know her. Though she may be physically absent, her spirit will continue to guide and inspire those who were blessed to share in her journey. May she rest in eternal peace, reunited with her beloved son Paul, and may her memory continue to be a source of comfort and strength for all who mourn her loss.
Kathy is survived by her loving husband of fifty-seven years, Paul; her living children MaryBeth, David and Maggie; her grandson Austin and wife Ally; her sister Margie and husband Greg and brother Pete and wife Kathy. Funeral services will be held at Queen of the Holy Rosary Church on August 8, 2023 (visitation at 9:30 followed by a funeral mass at 10:30). She will be privately interred at Resurrection Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to one of Kathy's favorite charities – Unbound (https://www.unbound.org/).
Condolences may be left at www.mcgilleyhoge.com.