Cover photo for ?Kay Mcdonough Kellner?'s Obituary
?Kay Mcdonough Kellner? Profile Photo

?Kay Mcdonough Kellner?

February 8, 1933 β€” February 20, 2021

πŸ€"May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be always at your back, may the sun shine warm upon your face, and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his handβ€πŸ€ Irish Blessing Kay McDonough was born in 1933 to Kathryn and Joseph McDonough and grew up on the West Side of Chicago. She attended Resurrection Elementary School and Trinity High School. She was close to her mom Kath, her Aunt Mae and Uncle Jim, and especially to her younger brother and only sibling, Joe, nicknamed Bing, who amused her with his sharp sense of humor and love of Chicago. Joe brought his wonderful wife Katy and their beloved son Matthew into Kay's life, and they were always close. She loved getting to know Matthew's wife, Katie and their four children. Along with her cousins Mary Lou, Bob and Bill, and their wives Pat and Sue, and all the Quirk and Spravka kids, many good times were shared in Chicago and during Summer trips to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Growing up, Kay, her cousin Mary Lou and best friend Pat spent hours on the outdoor ice-skating rink and in the theatre watching movies; her favorite was Gene Kelly in "Singing in the Rain". After attending Edgewood College in Madison, WI., where she made fun memories with her group of friends self-named the "Seven Sinners", Kay returned to Chicago and began working at Callahan medical clinic, where she met and married Dr. Kenneth James Kellner. Kay and Ken took off on their adventure to California and were married for 54 years until his passing in 2011. They were a good team and shared lots of laughs. In California, they enjoyed the company of Ken's siblings, especially his brother, Jim, his wife Judy, and their girls. They also treasured the friendship of Doctor Richard and Pat Meehan and their lively brood of six. Kay and Ken were devout Catholics and loved our Lord above all! They also honored His blessed Mother. The Church was a cornerstone of family life and their Catholic faith informed their life decisions. They passed these values on to their children and we are eternally grateful for it. They settled in in Rolling Hills, eventually moving to Santa Ana, and worked hard to send their six children through Catholic elementary and high schools. They also gifted each of their children a college education. To her children, Kay was a source of inspiration and humor, a counselor and confidant. She encouraged us to work hard and engage in activities outside the classroom, and when we did, she was there to support our efforts and had great enthusiasm for our accomplishments. She was unfazed by our antics, such as turning her living room into a football field or city of tents and hosting spontaneous swimming pool parties with our neighborhood friends. However, she would not tolerate disrespecting an adult by failing to stand and speak up when someone entered the room. She discriminated against no one and would not allow her children to either. Kay made friends easily, especially having fun with good friends Marge, Gloria and Bobbi. Other close friends who come to mind are Gen, Jill, and Jane. She loved people and when her last child entered high school, she began working again, eventually as an admitting clerk at St. Joseph's Hospital in Orange, CA, sharing her friendly nature with the patients and staff. Kay and Ken loved their grandchildren and spent many hours supporting their activities. She was also close to and appreciative of her son in laws and daughter in law. She loved her hometown of Chicago and was proud of her Irish heritage, waking the family early on St. Patrick's Day with Irish songs on the stereo. Every Saturday morning in the Fall, she called one of her sons or son-in-laws and asked the same question: "What time does the Notre Dame game start?" We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to her very special caregivers of the past few years! They brought kindness, caring, compassion, and humor during a difficult time! Their importance cannot be underestimated! They became family and we give them our gratitude and our love! Kay will be greatly missed! We are blessed that she was in our lives as such a very special mother and grandmother. She is survived by her children Marybeth, Maggie (Joe Meyer), Suzy (Tony Seals), Patrick, Brian (Livia Kellner), Kathy (Jose Mendez), and thirteen grandchildren Meaghan, Patrick, Jack, Rosie (Shane Rozeboom), AJ, Katie, Sarah, Jenni, Maddie, Mia, Bette, Tessa, Roman, and her great grandchildren, Noah and Briella. "When Irish eyes are smiling sure they'll steal your heart away" πŸ€ Donations can be given in Kays memory to St. Michaels Abbey and/or Priests for Life. St. Michaels Abbey Donation Priests for Life Donation Visitation Corpus Christi Catholic Church 3760 N. McKinley St Corona, CA Saturday 3/13, 1:30 pm - 2:00 pm 3760 McKinley St, Corona, CA 92879 Service Corpus Christi Catholic Church 3760 N. McKinley St Corona, CA Saturday 3/13, 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm Rosary 3760 McKinley St, Corona, CA 92879 Cemetery Holy Sepulcher Catholic Cemetery 7845 E. Santiago Canyon Rd. Orange, CA Tuesday 3/16, 1:00 pm 7845 E Santiago Canyon Rd, Orange, CA 92869 Mass Corpus Christi Catholic Church 3760 N. McKinley St Corona, CA Saturday 3/13, 2:30 pm 3760 McKinley St, Corona, CA 92879

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