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Pace | Culture > News

Remembering A Country Music Queen: The Iconic Dolly Parton

Kaylah Hewitt Student Contributor, Pace University
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Pace chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

It breaks my heart that on Aug. 25, 2026, we lost an amazing icon in the music industry. Dolly Parton passed away at 80 after her private battle with cancer. I never thought that we would lose Parton so soon and, honestly, thought that it was a sick joke when I saw a memorial post on Instagram. I remember the day that I became a Dolly Parton fan, during the holiday season back in 2020, when Parton did a beautiful rendition of “Mary, Did You Know.” All I remember is thinking about how amazing she was when my mom, who loves Parton, told me all about her, and I became hooked. Of all people, Parton did not deserve to leave this planet so soon — not only because her work and music were so special, but also because of the kind person she was. So, let’s take a moment to remember Parton and give her the respect she deserves.

How can we not start off by discussing Parton’s career in music? Let me tell you one thing: I am not the biggest country music fan, but when it comes to Parton, I can’t turn her music off. She has so many popular songs including “Jolene,” “I Will Always Love You,” and “Coat of Many Colors.” However, my favorite song from her has to be ”9 to 5.” It may be considered the typical Parton song that people like, but I don’t just like it because of how catchy it is; I love it because it was a part of many of my favorite childhood movies. Whether it’s her version or a cover, her song brings me so much nostalgia and made my childhood much better. It’s also amazing how a lot of her songs have such wonderful and important meanings behind them. How can we not love someone who makes sure their songs are meaningful? For that, she truly is the country music queen, in my opinion. 

Not only was Parton known for her music, she was also well-known for her kindness and the caring person she was. She didn’t keep all of the money she made to herself. She used her wealth and fame to give back to children, support her community, and she treated everyone equally, with love and respect. She created a program called Imagination Library to send free books to children every month, she gave money to people that had experienced crises, such as health issues or floods, and she didn’t treat her fans or workers like she was above them. Parton did all of this due to the fact that she grew up poor in Tennessee, so she made sure she never forgot where she came from. She is a very rare treasure because not a lot of celebrities would be so kind, which is why I have so much respect for her. 

Now, if you think I’m a big Parton fan, it’s nothing compared to my mom. My mom isn’t the biggest fan of most celebrities, but when it comes to Parton, she adores her. That holiday day where she was telling me all about Parton, she was so ecstatic and excited to tell me everything. When I told her that Parton passed away, her face dropped and she didn’t believe me at first. She literally looked it up when we heard the news, and she was devastated. What my mother loved most about Parton was her generosity with kids and the charity she created. My mom loved that Parton created a kitchen line and made it affordable for anyone to buy at Dollar General, Hobby Lobby, Walmart, etc. My mom definitely enjoyed the few movies Parton starred in, making 9 to 5 her number one favorite movie and, of course, making “Jolene” her favorite song by Parton. My mom certainly sees Parton as an icon for being in the music industry for so long, especially since a lot of people don’t survive in the industry for so many years. She really loved that Parton wanted kids to have better opportunities in their lives. 

This past week has been filled with a lot of emotions due to many more celebrities passing away, but this was the most shocking and unexpected passing. Parton truly was an icon and such a loving person that it’s hard not to like her. Her songwriting, her amazing business mind, and her wonderful generosity are what truly make her an iconic person. It honestly feels like a little more goodness has left this world since she is no longer with us, which I know a lot of people on social media agree with. Parton’s name and legacy will forever be remembered and honored not only by her family, but by all of her fans. I hope that Parton had some peace before she passed away and truly knows that she was loved and respected by many. Rest in peace Dolly Parton; you will forever be loved and missed.

Kaylah Hewitt

Pace '27

Kaylah Hewitt is a bubbly, creative, and active member of Her Campus at Pace University in New York City. She loves writing about movies, TV shows, entertainment news, pop culture, lifestyle, food, city life, and anything that catches her interest. As someone who loves storytelling and keeping up with the latest trends, she enjoys sharing her opinions, experiences, and recommendations through her articles. Kaylah hopes to build a career in marketing, advertising, entertainment, media, and journalism while also pursuing her dream of becoming an entrepreneur. Through Her Campus, she hopes to continue growing as a writer, exploring new creative opportunities, and connecting with readers who share her interests.

Kaylah is currently a senior at Pace University's Lubin School of Business, pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration in General Business with a concentration in Marketing. Born and raised in New York City, she is also a first-generation college student who enjoys staying involved both on and off campus. Along with being a Journalist and Writer for Her Campus, she serves as the chapter's first LinkedIn Assistant, helping develop its professional presence and highlight its activities. Outside of Her Campus, Kaylah is a National Writer for Spoon University, where she explores food trends, culture, and everything happening in the food world. She has also gained experience through marketing internships and brand ambassador opportunities with companies such as Snif and Princess Polly, allowing her to explore her interests in social media, content creation, and branding. On campus, she is involved in organizations including the American Marketing Association, Advertising Club, Women in Lubin, and Pace Board.

Beyond Her Campus and school, Kaylah is a huge lover of all things pink, coffee, entertainment, fashion, and beauty. She enjoys listening to music, reading books, shopping, hanging out with friends, exploring New York City, trying new food and coffee spots, and going to Broadway shows. Her favorite Broadway musical is Wicked, and she is always finding another movie or TV show to obsess over. She also loves keeping up with pop culture, discovering new beauty products, watching YouTube videos, and making shopping wish lists that seem to get longer every day. If you find her on campus, she'll most likely be somewhere in the Lubin School of Business, drinking an iced coffee, talking about her latest movie obsession, planning her next Broadway outing, or working on another article. As she enjoys her senior year, Kaylah is excited to make more memories, explore new opportunities, and continue growing her love for marketing, journalism, and entertainment.