Kathleen Keigley

Kathleen Keigley was a loving woman with a generous heart. She put her family’s interests before her own and had a way of making each person feel valued. Her care and consideration was extraordinary, so much so that her loved ones remarked, “If there were more of us like her, the world would be a much better place to live.”

From childhood and into adulthood, Kathy was very close to her parents. She and her mother were so tuned to one another that the two of them could complete each other’s sentences. When she became a mother, Kathy and her son were as close as a parent and child could get. To say she adored him would be an understatement. Still, her love was not limited to her immediate family. Kathy kept in touch with her Missouri relatives, and her last big trip was to see them.

At family celebrations and on holidays, Kathy’s thoughtfulness and kindness truly shone. Christmas was always special, perhaps because of her grade school role as Miss Suzy Snowflake that often debuted at Christmas time. Every Christmas Eve, Kathy hosted about twenty of her family, but she seemed to cook for fifty. Her menu was traditional yet she usually treated her guests to at least one new dish. For birthdays, she was sure to make the person’s favorite meal, meaning enchiladas for her brother John and chicken and noodles for her nephew James. Though Kathy made good use of her many cooking magazines, she also enjoyed dining out, especially if it meant getting a good steak.

For weddings, Kathy went looking for the perfect gift. She was fond of shopping, but for the most part, her gifts were handmade. She stitched beautiful blankets on which she embroidered the couple’s name and wedding date. Those precious keepsakes became more meaningful as the years went by.

Love for family extended to Kathy’s friends as well. She played host to many, many people at her pool, and everyone had a great time whenever they came. Kathy was fond of drama, and with her KVT membership, she and her friend Diane were able to attend each one. A lovely evening at the theater meant going for dinner, watching the play and then going out for dessert.

With so much beauty in and around her, it was little wonder that Kathy reveled in her garden. The flowers were as inspirational as they were gorgeous.

Sadly, Kathy became ill in recent years, but she took it all in stride. She remained positive and brave, which is, of course, commendable but not surprising for a woman who put her whole heart into everything she did.

Kathleen A. Keigley, 67, of Kankakee passed away at Miller Center August 16, 2014. She was born in Evanston February 9, 1947 the daughter of Willard and Verna (Sundquist) Huff.

Kathy was an accountant and office manager for the M&M Sheet Metal Company and the Kankakee Spring company. She was a graduate of KCC and a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Kankakee. She enjoyed gardening, cooking, reading and especially spending Christmas with her family.

She is survived by her son; Kenneth F. Keigley of Kankakee, step son; Kenneth W. Keigley of Indiana; 1 grandson and 1 step grandson; brother; John W. (Nancy) Huff of Kankakee; sister in law; Glenda Huff of Watseka and several nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death are her parents and 2 brothers; an infant brother James and brother Richard W. Huff.

A time for family and friends will be held at the Kankakee Chapel of the Schreffler Life Story Funeral Homes, Wed. August 20, 2014 from 4-7pm and a funeral service to be held at the funeral home, Thurs. August 21, 2014 at 11am. Pastor Karl Koeppen will officiate. Burial will take place at Kankakee Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

Please visit www.schrefflerfuneralhomes.com where you can learn more about Kathy’s life, archive a favorite memory or photo and sign her online guestbook.