Carolyn Yates

Carolyn Yates passed away on May 31, 2022, at Kansas City Hospice House.  Carolyn was born August 3, 1935, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Creel H. Yates and Rose (Worthington) Yates.  She grew up in Kansas City, Missouri, graduating from Central High School in 1953. Carolyn attended the University of Kansas City and graduated from the University of Kansas with a BA in Design in 1958.

Upon graduation she began a distinctive career as a graphic designer in the art department of Hallmark Cards, Inc.  While designing beautiful greeting cards for the caring public, she also designed President Eisenhower’s Christmas Card and President John F. Kennedy’s gift-wrapping paper.  Carolyn felt that her most rewarding life accomplishment was designing Hallmark’s traveling children’s participatory art exhibit, Kaleidoscope, in 1969 and later designing the permanent Crown Center Kaleidoscope exhibit.

In 1976 she moved to New York City, becoming Art Director for Columbia-Minerva needlework company.  Later, enjoying an oceanfront view in Providence, RI, she was VP of Design and Product Development for Hallmark’s jewelry line, Trifari.  Carolyn returned to Kansas City to care for her mother. There she resumed her love of needlecraft and became VP of Designs For the Needle, a needlework company.  With her astute eye for color, she launched an after-retirement career as the Clarins’ cosmetics consultant at Prairie Village Macy’s.

During her retirement, she also created and stitched over 70 of her own original cross-stitch designs. She photographed and printed them as beautiful, elegant cards to send for her friends. She often said she hoped the inscription on her tombstone would be “She tried.”  Her many friends and her cousins would say, “She surely did and made a difference!”

A graveside service will be held on Thursday, June 9, 2022 at 11:30 AM at Forest Hill & Calvary Cemetery, 6901 Troost, Kansas City, MO 64131.  In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to an animal care facility or a charity of your choice.