Shirley Kay Kavanaugh

Shirley Kay Kavanaugh, 82, of Vero Beach, Florida peacefully passed away at home on Sunday, October 12, 2014. She is now holding the hand of her beloved daughter, Dotty. Shirley Kay's dynamic life began August 4, 1932, when she was born to Kathryn and Milo Brooke. Shirley Kay, who did not like to be called Shirley, would hate the fact that none of us knows exactly where she was born. We think it was Lawrenceville, IL. She was an only child who adored her loving grandparents, "Pap-Pap" and "BaBoo." She cherished her years with them and has entertained all of us with many of her childhood stories. However, nothing compares to the hilarious memories of her marriage to the love of her life, Kenny, who was a dashing older man (okay, only two years older) who stole her heart and they married on October 7, 1950. Shirley Kay was very proud to be the ONLY woman Kenny ever dated, while he has had to accept that she dated the entire football team as well as the band. Kenny and Kay shared 64 wonderful years together filled with so much laughter, joy, and some deep sorrow. As Shirley Kay stated recently, "Kenny, we had had a really good life, except for the horrible loss of our Dotty, we have been so blessed." What an amazing statement from a couple who shared such a tragedy. In 1972, eight year old Dorothy Kay was abducted and two weeks later Shirley Kay and Kenny buried their 4th born child. Because of this deep loss and their resolution to carry her memory with them, Kenny and Kay are known for passing out St. Dorothy medals to those who need special prayers. Shirley Kay leaves behind her dedicated husband, Kenny as well as 4 remaining children, Ken and his wife, Lori of Tucson, AZ, Cindy and her husband, Gail of Lawrenceville, IL, John (JB) and his wife, Sarah of Newburgh, IN, Julie and her husband, Steve of Omaha, NE. She will be missed by her grandchildren, Courtney Brooke, Mary Kathryn, Albert, Katie Pearl, Dominick, Patrick, Charlie and Ruby Kay. In addition, her 5 great grandchildren, Hannah, Max, Vinci, Sam and Lucy say goodbye to their Mi-Mi. Shirley Kay is gone from us but her famous stories and jokes will continue to be told for generations. She made everyone laugh and left lasting impressions on those she touched. She will forever be a part of our smiles as we imagine she must be dancing once again in her high heeled shoes with Dotty. A visitation will be held 4-6 p.m., Tuesday, October 14, 2014 at Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home, Vero Beach. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10 a.m., Wednesday, October 15, 2014 at Holy Cross Catholic Church, Vero Beach. A funeral mass will be conducted at 10 AM Saturday morning at St. Lawrence Catholic Church. Interment will follow October 18, 2014 at Lawrenceville City Cemetery. There is no visitation. Emmons-Macey & Steffey Funeral Home in Lawrenceville is handling the local arrangements.

Mass

OCT 18. 10:00 AM (CDT)

St. Lawrence Catholic Church 1006 Collins Street Lawrenceville, IL