Farewell to former library trustee Kerry Onstott Storey
Former Library Trustee Kerry Onstott Storey passed away on Feb, 18, 2025. She served on the library Board of Trustees for 16 years including serving as board chair 2007-2009 and 2017-2018. Storey also served as vice chair, secretary and on the nominating committee. Her final board term ended in 2021. Storey also volunteered at Stormont Vail Health and served as their Auxillary president. She loved to read, walk, crochet, spend time with friends, drink wine and watch KU basketball.
As library board chair Kerry Storey-Onstott helped with the 2018 ground breaking of Claire's Courtyard. Also pictured: Library Foundation Chair Judi Stork; Matt McGivern and Cindy Hill, Senne Company; David Heit, Tevis Architects; Gina Millsap, library CEO; Topeka Mayor Michelle De La Isla; Library Foundation Executive Director Nancy Lindberg; and Dr. Glenn Swogger, Jr.
When Storey left the library board in 2021 the remaining trustees wrote the following about her: "She leads by example, volunteered numerous hours, incurred personal sacrifice, and exhibited outstanding library advocacy, acting as an agent of change. Everyone leaves behind footprints in the sands of time, but Kerry’s footprints will be engraved on stone for future generations to follow. The library commends Kerry Onstott Storey for her time-honored legacy of dedication, enthusiasm and outstanding service given to the Board of Trustees for the past 16 years."
"Kerry and I shared a love of our convertibles, our Brahmin bags, our dogs, our families and TSCPL," said Liz Post, library trustee and friend. "I could always count on Kerry for funny stories about her dogs, interesting stories about past travels and a recommendation for a good book. When I joined TSCPL Board of Trustees, Kerry was a mentor to me during my early years and my cheerleader when I chaired the Board in the early 2020s. She encouraged me when we were 'Zooming' into meetings from our home computers during the pandemic months."
"Kerry Storey was passionate about reading and the library," said Trustee Peg Dunlap. "She was a trustee during some challenging times. She was steadfast in her belief that the library is a place where people should be free to read what they do, or don’t, want to read. She was a true friend of the library, and a personal friend of mine who offered advice and guidance when I became a trustee."
