Caryn is survived by her husband, Vance Wade Kennedy; daughter, Noelle Sliva and her husband Lenny and grandchildren Becker Sliva and Kennedy Sliva; son, Nathyn Kennedy; mother, Joan Garvert; sister, Sharon and Bob Rogers and their children Nick and Becky Rogers and Preston and Emily Rogers; and four step-siblings, Sonja Kaufman, Alan Garvert, John Mowry and Craig Mowry. She is also survived by many loved ones from her husbands’ family, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Caryn was preceded in death by her grandparents, Harold and Helen DeBolt and Harold and Elizabeth Bartlett; father, Harold L. DeBolt; step-father, Wilfred Garvert; and niece, Aryn Rogers.
Caryn was born on February 26, 1955, in Hays, Kansas to Joan and Harold DeBolt. As a young child Caryn and her family lived in New Martinsville, West Virginia, until around age eight, when her family returned to Plainville, Kansas where Caryn attended Plainville Public Schools, graduating with the Plainville High School Class of 1973. Her classmates held a special part of her heart.
Caryn and Wade Kennedy were united in marriage on January 2, 1982. The couple made their home and began raising their children, Noelle and Nathyn, in Hill City, Kansas. Job opportunities eventually took them to Emporia, Kansas, where Caryn and Wade followed their career paths and their children finished their education.
Caryn held a BA degree in Art Education, from Fort Hays State University and a MA degree in Counseling, from Emporia State University. She was a counselor for Kansas Vocational Rehabilitation Services for many years until her retirement in 2016. Following Caryn’s retirement, she and Wade moved to Olathe, Kansas to be near their daughter, Noelle and family.
Caryn will be remembered for the love she had for her family, her commitment to those she helped through Vocational Rehabilitation, the incredible friendships she forged during her life, her love of cats and dogs, and her sense of humor, along with giggling spells that she shared with so many. She loved to work in her flower garden and craft, and would often elaborately decorate her home for the holidays and special occasions. Her grandchildren, Becker and Kennedy, were the light of her life.
Her kind and gentle spirit and fun-loving personality will be missed by all who knew her.
A celebration of Caryn’s life will be held at McGilley & Frye Funeral home, 105 E. Loula St., Olathe, KS 66061, on Friday, November 19th . Visitation will begin at 5:00pm with a service at 5:30pm . In lieu of flowers donations are encouraged to The American Diabetes Association.
Condolences may be offered at: www.McGilley-Frye.com
