Kathleen Anne (Darrow) InwoodEmporia, KS

Kathleen Anne Inwood died January 7, 2025, in Sterling, Kansas, at the age of 78. With the exception of her last 32 days, she was an Emporia, Kansas, resident for the past sixty years. Kathleen’s greatest joy was that of being a mother to Stephanie and Brian, and grandmother to Kennedy, Cameron, Katie, and Paige. Kathleen was born in Concordia, Kansas, to John B. and Ida Mary Darrow on July 9, 1946. She graduated from Glasco High School, in 1964. Kathleen was a lifetime learner and teacher. She continued her education at Emporia State University receiving her undergraduate and master’s degree in education. She went on to teach hundreds of children at Village Elementary over the course of her 32-year teaching career. She was an incredible teacher and was proud to have received the Kansas Teacher of the Year award from the Kansas Jaycees. More recently, she loved attending the monthly luncheons with the Emporia Retired Teachers Association. Upon retirement she helped start the Emporia SOS Child Advocacy Center, continuing to help children in crisis. In 2007, she was awarded the Kansas Attorney General’s Crime Victims’ Service Award. In 1968, Kathleen married Stephen in Emporia, he survives of the home. She is survived by her son, Brian Inwood (Nancy) of Sterling; grandchildren, Kennedy Vaughn of Emporia, Cameron Inwood, Katie Inwood, and Paige Inwood all of Sterling; her brother, John Darrow (Pat) of Minneapolis. She is preceded in death by her parents, John B. and Ida Mary Darrow; and her daughter, Stephanie Vaughn. A funeral mass will be at 11:30 A.M., Thursday, January 16, 2025, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Emporia, with Father Carter Zielinski officiating. Burial will follow at the Sacred Heart Cemetery, Emporia. Visitation will be from 10:30 until service time at the church, with family present. Memorials may be given to Village Elementary in care of Birzer Funeral Home, Sterling.

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