Dolly Parton passed away today at the age of 80, peacefully, in her home in Nashville. She was a remarkable person, generous to a fault and very kind.
Most people celebrate Dolly Parton for her music, which is timeless. But we celebrate her for her efforts to promote reading.
In 1995 Dolly Parton started the Imagination Library, which has by now gifted 332,411,218 books to children ages birth to 5. If you couldn’t afford books for your baby, Dolly would send them to you. All you had to do was register, and you too could read to your children before bed. Your kids didn’t have to miss out because you had to pick between buying books and keeping the lights on.
She has done more for literacy than anyone we know.
We wish that she hadn’t left us so soon.
Dolly was truly a National Treasure. Her light will be sorely missed.
A remarkable legacy.
Sad. Dolly was so full of joy and it was genuine.
Dolly Parton was incredible in many ways. Today you have taught me of one more way, what a great legacy and equally great loss for us all.
A loss to the world.
May we all strive to be more Dolly.
Rest in power & song Dolly. You will be missed.
She was incredibly generous. We are all poorer with her passing.
What an amazing lady! Her loss will be truly felt especially by those eager to read and learn.
She will be sorely missed!
Such a great loss.
My grandson got her books. He was so excited to get mail just for him. Such a loss in so many ways.
Yet another person who can never be replaced is gone. My heart breaks for her family and friends but also for the rest of us, who will miss out on that bright, beautiful presence she radiated. You will forever be missed Dolly! ❤️🙏🏻
The Imagination Library was such a blessing to so many. Dolly was a true force for good
She was a treasure. A gifted, intelligent woman with a beautiful soul. She gave so much and influenced many. Thank you for highlighting this.
We lived in TN for three years and the impact she made in literacy for children was unmatched in any other area I ever lived in. She really cared about helping children learn to read. She was a phenomenal woman who did more than people realize to help end poverty.
2026 can get bent. Tired of seeing good people leave this mortal coil.
From the Dictionary: Exceptional means unusual, uncommon, or far better than average. Meanings and Uses Unusual or rare: Forming an exception to the rule; not regular or ordinary, exceptional, Superior quality: Much better than normal or outstanding in skill. That is Dolly in a nutshell. I am crushed. She was a wonderful person and she will be missed. I feel like some of the light has left the world.
R.I.P Ms Parton.
Her efforts touched far beyond our shores. Her donations were many and varied and she will be missed. She touched so many lives. People were crying in public when they shared the news. Literally. She was the closest thing to a living saint I have ever heard tell of. I pray for solace for her family.
She was a global icon, condolences to her family, the world has lost a remarkable woman. RIP Dolly.
She had a huge heart, and gave so much to help literacy. But I will always remember she sponsored reaearch for COVID-19 vaccine.
So sad. She saw a need and did something about it. I remember when Whitney Houston sang “I Will Always Love You” for the movie The Guardian with Kevin Costner. At the time not very people knew that song was written by Dolly Parton.
She will be missed. 🙁
Her commitment to literacy was truly an international gift. Since 2006 Canadian children could access books through her Imagination library. A truly generous soul has left us today