Deborah Doherty Pennington passed away on October 23, 2026, surrounded by her family at their Fairway, Kansas, home.
Debbie exemplified a joyful, faithful life. Even as she battled cancer, she spent precious time with family and friends, inspiring others with her courage and faith.
Debbie was born on July 18, 1963, in Wichita, Kansas, to Jack and Betty Doherty. The youngest of eight children, she grew up in a home filled with love and laughter — and almost constant activity. Her mentality of “there is always room for one more” began then and held true throughout her life as she loved to host family gatherings, invite friends to join holidays, and have a bustling home.
Debbie graduated from Kapaun Mt. Carmel High School in Wichita, where she was active in cheerleading and theater productions.
After high school, she headed to Lawrence and the University of Kansas, where she was a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. In 1985, she graduated from the nursing school. While at KU, Debbie also met David in microbiology. Later, they started dating when she was in nursing school. She soon knew she wanted to spend the rest of her life with him.
Debbie worked in KU’s neonatal unit, devoting most of her career to helping the smallest patients not just survive but thrive.
In 2014, she was named a National Magnet Nurse of the Year for her work starting the first Neonatal Medical Home in the country. Children and their families could now return to KU for all their medical care instead of having to make multiple visits to multiple doctors.
Debbie and David married on May 23, 1987, and a couple of years later jumped right into parenting with twins — Courtney and Andrew. Emma was born four years later.
All she ever wanted to be was a mom; her children meant everything to Debbie. She was a devoted mother who put all her heart into raising her children, loving them unconditionally, and supporting them in their many activities. She could always be found in the front row of any performance and was the loudest cheerleader from the stands no matter what the sporting event.
She also was a source of joy — and frequent provider of medical advice — for her siblings, cousins, and many nieces and nephews, especially as they became parents.
Ten years ago, Debbie officially became Dot, as the grandchildren would call her. Her nine grandchildren were by far her greatest joy and reason to keep fighting day after day through her battle with cancer. Even on her worst days, Debbie found the strength to make it to countless swim meets, park playdates, school programs, dance recitals, and host a weekly “Sunday Night Dinner” at their home for the family to gather.
After a nearly 40-year career in nursing, Debbie retired in December 2024, planning to spend time traveling with David and friends and family and, of course, doting on her grandchildren.
But just a few months later, she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Her deep, unfailing faith inspired hundreds of family members, friends, and acquaintances who followed her journey on her Caring Bridge page.
In her final months, between chemotherapy and other medical sessions she still found time to fill her days with things she enjoyed most.
In dying, Debbie taught us about living.
In her first Caring Bridge post, she wrote:
I have complete belief and trust that I will be healed, or this journey and my suffering will be used for His glory. He is in charge. This is what I truly believe. A day is coming when all things will be made clear to us. It is our job to live with the uncertainty, since we have a secure hope in our eternal destination.
The God who created the universe is seated on the throne right now, and nothing is outside of His control, including this trial!
Debbie is survived by her husband, David, of the home; her children, Courtney (John) Falk, Westwood, Kansas; Andrew (Kirby) Pennington, Austin, Texas; and Emma (Grant) Minick, Kansas City; her grandchildren, Megan, Daniel, Lindy, David, James, Clara, George, Maggie, and Thomas; her siblings, Marian Snider, Wichita; John (Maria Jo) Doherty, Georgetown, Texas; Susan (RG) Carver, Spicewood, Texas; Jim (Elaine) Doherty, Colorado Springs, Colorado; Jeff (Joan) Doherty, Spring Hill, Tennessee; Kathy (Chick) Howland, Fairway, Kansas; Joe (Kapryce) Doherty, Briggs, Texas; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be on Saturday October 31, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at Redeemer Kansas City; 3921 Baltimore Ave., Kansas City, MO 64111. The family suggests memorials to St. Augustine Academy; redeemerkc.churchcenter.com/giving
Continued communication from the family will be through Deborah’s Caring Bridge site:
https://www.caringbridge.org/site/6367dfc0-effd-11ef-a441-fd7d8f7eed24
Obituary published by Signature Funerals.
