Catherine Shea

Catherine Ann Shea

"Kay"

Age 92 of Wilmington, passed away peacefully Sunday December 21, 2014 at Our Lady of Angel's Retirement Home in Joliet.

Born January 7, 1922 in Joliet, Catherine Ann was a daughter of the late Bernard "Bert" and Helen (Tebeau) Staehely. She was raised in Joliet, graduated from Joliet Township High School with the Class of 1940 and went on to Joliet Junior College to earn her Teaching Certification. On July 19, 1944, Kay married John "Elmer" Shea in Ft. Knox, Kentucky and together they lived in Joliet before moving to the Joliet Arsenal. It was in 1956 that they moved to Wilmington, where they made their home and celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1994. Kay taught school in the Minooka Country School and later went to work at Clennon Electric in Wilmington as a secretary. Kay was a very active member of St. Rose Catholic Church in Wilmington, where was involved with the Mother's Club, served on Parish Council and was a past officer of the C.C.W., who honored her with "Woman of the Year". Kay and Elmer participated in CFM (The Catholic Family Movement) and she was a volunteer at Kuzma Care Cottage. She loved playing bridge and belonged to a Card Club. Kay Shea was a woman of deep faith, who not only loved serving her church, but her community.

Survivors include her son Deacon John P. (Lynette) Shea; daughter Kathryn S. Shea and son-in-law Larry (Nancy) Weitekamp; eleven grandchildren: Kimberly (David) Gray, Brett (Cara) Weitekamp, Erin J. (Scott) Smith, Kate Shea, Kendra Albritton, Devyn Wingater, Austin Weitekamp, Ryan Weitekamp, Kayla Weitekamp, Lauren Weitekamp and Kaitlin Weitekamp; great grandchildren: Mitchell, Ethan, Matthew, Suzanne, Abigail Grace, Aiden, Chase, Madison, Asia, Andrew, Melissa and Benjamin; and numerous friends.

Kay was preceded in death by her parents; daughter Peggy Weitekamp, son Daniel Joseph Shea in infancy and husband Elmer.

Visitation will be held on Monday December 29, 2014 between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. at Baskerville Funeral Home, 700 East Kahler Road in Wilmington. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow Tuesday morning December 30th at 10:00 a.m. in Saint Rose Catholic Church, 608 South Kankakee Street in Wilmington. Burial will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Wilmington.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Kay's memory to Kuzma Care Cottage, 635 South Main Street, Wilmington, Illinois 60481

Friends may sign the online guest book or send private condolences to the family by logging onto: www.BaskervilleFuneral.com

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Baskerville Funeral Home, 700 East Kahler Road in Wilmington. (815-476-2181)