“Kitty” on the carousel is a traditional European unicorn sponsored by the family of Kitty Doherty. This animal is a memorial piece for Kitty from her parents, siblings, children, and extended family. Kitty battled cancer for eleven years until her condition eventually took her life early in March of 2007.
One day Kitty’s mother stopped by the carousel studio and was so taken by the animals being created that she thought of a unicorn to memorialize Kitty. This sponsorship would be a wonderful use of the monies the family had collected to give Kitty, her husband, and her two daughters for a trip to Disneyland planned for June 2008. Everyone thought that was perfect.
Kitty loved all four-legged animals but especially horses, unicorns, cats, and dogs. Her favorite color was purple. “Kitty”, the unicorn has a purple saddle with ten symbolic medallions carved by Marge Wright, Kitty’s stepmother. They are a four-leaf clover for St. Patrick’s Day, Kitty’s birthday; a fish for her father, Ed Wright; a heart for her mother, Judy Allen; a fairy chosen by sister Mary Jo Brock; an anchor for foster brother Larry Jackson; a dragon chosen by her husband, Kelly Doherty; a lucky horseshoe for Kitty’s first daughter Ashley Hogan; and as everlasting rose chosen by second daughter, Alysia Rodgers. There is also a medallion with a pink cancer ribbon and one with a cute bear. Kitty’s favorite cat, “Exotica”, sits on “Kitty’s” rump.
