Carolyn Mae Ponte passed away on October 11, 2026, at the age of 83.

Born on October 25, 1942, to James Dashner and Vivian Anderson, Carolyn's life began amid extraordinary circumstances. After her father was killed during the D-Day invasions in Normandy, France, she was adopted by her paternal aunt, Martha Dashner Beights, and her husband, Hugh. She was lovingly raised alongside her siblings, Ron, Marilyn, and Saralie, in Poplar Bluff, Missouri.

From an early age, Carolyn's spirited nature was impossible to miss. She was adventurous, independent, and never one to follow the crowd. On one memorable occasion, she and a classmate decided to "borrow" the school's driver's education car and take it for a lunchtime drive. In high school, she dyed her hair green for St. Patrick's Day at a time when colorful hair was far from accepted. When the principal sent her home to wash it out, the color only became more permanent. Embracing the situation with her characteristic confidence and sense of humor, she later wore a green formal gown to prom to match her slowly fading green hair.

After her adoption, Carolyn regularly spent several weeks each summer in Kansas City visiting her grandmother, Mima Dashner. Following her graduation from Poplar Bluff High School in 1960, she moved to Kansas City, where she met and married Melvin Gregory "Mickey" LaChance. Tragically, Carolyn was widowed at just 22 years old. She later married Mike Ponte.

Carolyn is survived by her four daughters, Sarah, Shelly, Leslie, and Jamie; twelve grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and many extended family members and friends who loved her dearly.

Throughout her life, Carolyn embodied strength, independence, and resilience. She was fearless, intelligent, and impossible to intimidate. Carolyn taught those around her to value people of every race, background, orientation, and walk of life. She loved to travel and even lived in Saudi Arabia during the late 1970s.

Equally memorable was Carolyn's generous heart. Friends and family remember her as the kind of person who would give away her last dollar if someone needed it more. Local bank employees knew her for withdrawing money in five-dollar increments so she could hand those bills to people in need whenever she encountered them.

In her later years, Carolyn devoted countless hours to helping animals in need. She volunteered her time transporting shelter animals, assisting with their care, and helping hundreds find loving homes.

Celebration of Life: Friday, October 23, 2026, at 2:00 p.m., Kingdom Church, 11050 Longview Parkway, Kansas City, Missouri 64134.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Made A Promise Rescue (www.madeapromiserescue.org/donate) or to a local food bank or homeless shelter in Carolyn's memory.