Alison Heath Carter

Alison Heath Carter, 72, passed away January 26, 2019, in Lawrence, Kansas, where she lived since 1996.

Alison was born to Roy Hinkle Heath and Rachel Tonkin Heath in Salina, Kansas and graduated from Salina High School in 1964.  She earned a degree in Education from the University of Kansas in 1968 where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi Sorority.

Upon finishing at KU, she moved to Washington DC to work for Bob Dole, first in his House of Representatives Office, then in his Senate Office, and at the RNC during Senator Dole's time as Chairman.  Subsequently, Alison moved to the private sector where she joined the Miller's National Federation (trade group) as Director of Export Marketing.

In February 1982, she married her college sweetheart, George Curry Carter, and left her Washington professional career to create a new family life together with George.  The young family lived in Dallas, Texas, where their daughter Elizabeth was born.  Then they moved to Mission Hills, Kansas where they lived for 10 years, prior to moving to Lawrence.

Alison immersed herself in the local community, becoming active in the PTA and managing projects such as the Belinder School Book Fair for several years.  She also volunteered actively on a number of civic projects such as fund raising for CCVI (the Children's Center for the Visually Impaired) in Kansas City.  She was a member of P.E.O., Tennola Literary Club, the Pi Beta Phi “Alumni Club”, and “St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church.”

Upon creation of the Dole Institute at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Alison was eager to volunteer her time during its formative years, and subsequently enjoyed working as a part-time staff member until retiring in 2013.

She will be remembered as a gentle force for good within her community, where she embraced people with great generosity of spirit, unfailing kindness, humor, and an eternally gracious presence.

Alison is survived by her husband, George C. Carter of the home, their daughter, Elizabeth Curry Carter of the home, one sister, Rae Pat Hederstedt of Hutchinson, KS., and two nieces, Laura A. Hederstedt of Shawnee Mission, KS. and Sarah Blake (Chuck) of Hutchinson, KS., and nephew Sam Hederstedt of Hutchinson, KS.  She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Sam Heath.

The family wishes to recognize the extraordinary level of care given to Alison during her last days by the staff of the ICU at Lawrence Memorial Hospital and her physician, Dr. Charles C. Yockey.

A Memorial Service in celebration of Alison's life will be held at 10:30am on Friday, February 15, at St. Margaret's Episcopal Church, 5700 West 6th Street, Lawrence, KS.  A private family graveside interment service was held in the Great Bend Cemetery on February 2, 2019.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Alison may be made to the Dole Internship Assistance Program, Dole Institute, 2350 Petefish Drive., Lawrence, KS 66045