Kathleen "Kay" Downey

Kathleen Agnes “Kay” Downey, age 88, of Mt. Sterling, Illinois passed away at 11:20 p.m. Tuesday, February 14, 2023 at Good Samaritan Home in Quincy, Illinois.

She was born February 4, 1935 in Quincy, Illinois the daughter of James A. and Tessie B. Diss Keltz.  She married David Darrell Downey on April 30, 1961, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Mt. Sterling, Illinois and he preceded her in death on March 9, 2014.  

Mrs. Downey worked as a travel agent for “The Travel House” in Quincy, Illinois for many years and also served as a Certified Nurse’s Assistant at Modern Manor Nursing Home in Mt. Sterling.  Kay retired after working in the nursery at the YMCA in Mt. Sterling for several years. 

She attended St. Mary’s Academy and was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church all in Mt. Sterling. 

Kay was also a member of the Mt. Sterling American Legion #374 Auxiliary, the 20th Century Club, a 4H leader, Nocturnal Adoration Society, and the American Red Cross.  She also enjoyed assisting with the Retired Senior Volunteer Program, having volunteered to deliver Meals on Wheels.  Her main joy was spending time with her grandchildren and visiting with her friends and families.  She spent her whole life selflessly serving others which brought her immense happiness and fulfillment.

Survivors include 3 daughters Dava Ashley (David) of Dove Canyon, California, Kimberly Smith (Chuck Hancock)of Peoria, Illinois and Michelle Downey (Scott Fuget) of Mt. Sterling, Illinois.  3 grandchildren Phillip Downey Smith (Marisa Largent) of Elmwood, Illinois and Jacob David and Conner James Ashley both of Dove Canyon, California.  1 sister Marilyn Clark of Mt. Sterling, Illinois also survives along with several nieces and nephews.  

She was preceded in death by her parents, 1 sister and brother-in-law Arlene and Butch Dieker, brother and sister in law Robert and Maxine Downey, and two nephews/Godsons Tommy Clark and Bruce Dieker.

Cremation has been accorded and a memorial mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, March 9, 2023, in the Holy Family Catholic Church in Mt. Sterling with Father Aaron Kuhn officiating. 

Burial of the cremated remains will follow in the Mt. Sterling Catholic Cemetery. 

Memorial visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 9, 2023 at the Hendricker Funeral Home in Mt. Sterling.  A Rosary Service will be conducted at 9:00 a.m. prior to the visitation at the funeral home. 

Memorials are suggested to the Mt. Sterling American Legion Post # 374 Auxiliary or the Mt. Sterling Catholic Cemetery.

Condolences for the family may be left online at hendrickerfuneralhome.com. 

The Hendricker Funeral Home in Mt. Sterling is assisting the family with the arrangements. 

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.