Dolores (Ann) Lafferty was born on a farm north of Gridley, Coffey county Kansas on July 2, 1940 as the only child to Tom and Wilhelmina Decker Merritt.  She attended county school during her elementary years and then graduated from Gridley High School in 1958. Ann went to Emporia Teacher College and received her degree in education. After graduating in 1962 she worked briefly in Topeka before returning to the Gridley area to teach. She married Morris Lafferty July 18, 1964 and made their home in Gridley. Ann enjoyed teaching home economics and was a mentor to many young people that graduated from that school. After deciding to retire early from teaching, Ann began a house painting business in the Burlington area. Ann was dedicated to her family and took care of her folks until their death.

Ann was a very organized woman with an eye for detail. She enjoyed volunteering her skills on many community events. She was a volunteer at the Coffey County Hospital, giving her time to help those in need and was an active member of the Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church. Ann had many hobbies that included golfing, reading, cooking, gardening, and working in the outdoors.

Ann lovingly took care of her husband Morris, after he was diagnosed with ALS, until his death in August 17, 2005.  After the death of her husband, Ann continued to reside in the Burlington/Gridley area until moving to Holiday Resort in 2016.

Ann was preceded in death by parents, her husband, and three siblings, Wilhelmina Mary, Robert Dean, and Thomas Eugene Merritt.

A private graveside will be held at the St. Mary's Cemetery, Hartford, Kansas. Ann will lie in state Friday from 1:00 P.M. until 5:00 P.M. at the funeral home. Contributions can be made to Holiday Resort and may be sent in care of Jones Funeral Home, P.O. Box 277, Burlington, KS 66839.

WE HAVE UPDATED OUR POLICY ON FUNERALS AND VIEWINGS. PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT OUR CONCERN IS WITH THE HEALTH AND WELL BEING OF THE FAMILIES WE SERVE, OUR COMMUNITIES, AND OUR STAFF AND THEIR FAMILIES.

FOR THE VIEWING OF ANN LAFFERTY ON FRIDAY WE WOULD ASK THAT IF YOU LIVE IN A COMMUNITY, COUNTY, OR ANOTHER STATE THAT HAS CONFIRMED CASES OF THE CORONAVIRUS THAT YOU NOT ATTEND OR IF SINCE MARCH 15, 2020, YOU HAVE VISITED AN AREA THAT HAS CONFIRMED CASES OF CORONAVIRUS THAT YOU CONSIDER NOT ATTENDING. MAXIMUM OF 5 PEOPLE AT A TIME IN FUNERAL HOME.

WE APOLOGIZE FOR THE INCONVENIENCE AND DIFFICULTY THIS CAN CAUSE.