Mary Lynn Perkins

Mary Lynn Perkins was born September 11, 1955 to proud parents, Kenneth and Doris Kovach. She attended Olathe High School and graduated in 1973. Mary Lynn was active on the drill team and was made a drill team captain. She was also named Miss July by the Olathe Daily News. Following high school, Mary Lynn attended the University of Kansas and proudly graduated as a Jayhawk with her degree in Physical Education in 1977. She was then hired at her Alma Mater, Olathe High School, as a Physical Education teacher and gymnastics coach. Here, she met the love of her life, math teacher, Don Perkins. Mary Lynn knew right away that she was going to marry him and even went home that night and told her mother so! Eventually, they married January 5th, 1980, and started their life together. 

Don and Mary Lynn celebrated the birth of their first child, Joshua on June 9th, 1982. Four years later, to the day, while Mary Lynn was making Josh a He-Man birthday cake, little brother, Bradley, joined the family. Mary Lynn was extremely proud of her sons and loved spending her time cheering them on at all of their sporting events. She was a staple at the baseball and football fields and was deemed “The First Lady of ODAC” by administrators, parents and fans! 

Mary Lynn retired from Olathe North in 2010. Mary Lynn thrived in retirement. She and Don traveled frequently – her favorite trips were a tour of Australia, winter months in Florida, and K-State bowl games. She continued to be a constant presence in the stands supporting the sports and activities of her six busy grandchildren. Somehow, Mary Lynn also found time to enjoy summers at their lake house, bird watching, gardening, and sitting with Don on their deck in the evenings.

Mary Lynn leaves behind her loving husband of 45 years, Don, two sons, Josh (Emily) and Brad (Julie), six cherished grandchildren, Kinley, Reed, Jack, Ella, Aubree, and Brynna, sister Kathy (Kent Livengood), many nieces and nephews on both sides, and innumerable other friends and family. She was proceeded in death by her parents, Doris and Kenneth Kovach. 

Donations and memorials can be made to Olathe Public Schools Foundation in memory of Mary Lynn Perkins. 

https://olathepublicschoolsfoundation.org/content/donate-now

“Area of Greatest Need” which will be determined later by the family.