She was a longtime leader for Platte County Democrats
A longtime leading figure in Platte County politics for the Democrat party has died.
Pauli Anna Kendrick of Weatherby Lake, passed away on Tuesday, May 11, 2021, at the age of 79 surrounded by her family.
Born on March 12, 1942, to Gertrude Lovett Spain and John Henry Weber, Pauli grew up in Springfield, Mo, where she graduated from Parkview High School. She worked for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company for over 20 years. In 1987, Pauli moved to Kansas City, and shortly she devised a system of automation that made her workgroup unnecessary-leading to her early retirement from SWBT.
The first female mayor of Weatherby Lake, Pauli served her community for almost eight years. During her terms as mayor, she promoted infrastructure improvements in streets, water (water tower on Barry Road) and sewer system (biological filter to mitigate sewer gas)-and was especially mindful of beautification of city parks.
Her love of nature was expressed as a co-founder of the Platte County Land Trust-memorializing her passion for land preservation and green space.
Following her terms as mayor, she served on a Judicial Review Committee and worked diligently in many capacities to promote candidates to the school board and other county positions.
She served on the Platte County Democratic Central Committee for many years, and the Democratic Central Committee honored Pauli by inducting her into its Hall of Fame in recent years.
As an only child, Pauli’s cousins, her Aunt Pauline and her Grandma Lovett meant the world to her, and she enjoyed retelling her childhood adventures with them. Pauli loved gardening and yard work and spent much time outdoors. She loved doting on her four cats and cockatoo, and dining out with her husband, Edward Kendrick.
An extraordinary grandmother, “Grandma Pauli” loved creating treasure hunts and geocaching with her grandchildren, and she had a knack for finding four-leafed clovers. She had a witty sense of humor.
In her obituary, her family said “Pauli’s sweet and gentle nature, loving demeanor, will live on in our hearts.”
Pauli is preceded in death by her parents and her best friend, Kathy Derrick. She is survived by her husband, Dr Edward Kendrick, her sons, Michael Mischke-Reeds and Kerry Reeds; her daughters, Lorie Sly and Pam Butler, and her grandchildren: Whitney, Madeleine, Taylor, Will, Travis, Kirian, Megan, Tristan, Wyatt and great-grandchild Max. She will be missed by immediate family, her first cousins, Billie, and dear friend Mary Anne Baier.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Kansas City Hospice and the Alzheimer’s Association.
A celebration of Pauli’s life will be held on Thursday, July 1, 2021 from 5:30-7:30 pm at C-Point Pavilion in Weatherby Lake.
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