Aunt Kay

Aunt Kay and Uncle Robert, my Godparents. There is Joe in the background, photobombing.
This is the kitchen at our old farm. 

Not sure where this party was, but clearly the family was having a great time. There is Aunt Kay, third from the left, with Uncle Lee right behind her. Mom and Dad look pretty buzzed here, on the left. Or maybe just happy. But probably buzzed.

All the siblings at  the reunion. Look at the beautiful red hair!
Aunt Jean, Aunt Kay, Aunt Joan, Aunt Norene
Dad, Uncle Jim, Uncle Pat, Uncle Eddie
Dad gave Aunt Kay away at her wedding, there were some lovely photos of everyone at the memorial.  

So sad to suddenly lose Aunt Kay. A whole generation of Mallaneys gone. Dad wished that I had gotten Aunt Kay's sweet temperament along with her name, but alas it was not to be. Luckily Aunt Kay has three petite, beautiful girls (with sweet temperaments), just like their mother, to remind us of her. You'd be hard pressed to find a sweeter lady than Aunt Kay. A terrible loss for her family, I can't remember a time I talked to Aunt Kay and she didn't mention some fun outing she had with her kids and it was clear how they enjoyed and loved each other. Aunt Kay was good to everybody. Mom and Dad and Joe would pop in on her when they went to Joliet and I asked Aunt Kay once if she didn't want them to call first and she said nooooo she loved having company, everyone is welcome any time. Always so warm and welcoming.  Her family had a beautiful service for her. Aunt Kay would have approved heartily of the family and friends praying and eating and laughing and remembering. The dinner was at Merichka's and I'd like to know how many times the Mallaneys have eaten there over the years. Mom mentioned that she and Dad ate there while they were dating, and they were married in 1959.

Dad and Aunt Kay at her 80th birthday, and at the reunions. Aunt Kay was one of the "little kids" to Dad.
I always looked for Aunt Kay's baked beans,  chocolate cake and apricot bars . . . all favorites.

On a happier note I have a job starting on March 27th. Whew. What a relief. Took a while but all is well.

Nothing like looking at old pictures. Mom said this was one of many parties at the old farm, probably the relatives are there or on their way, and I'm already hanging out by the kegger with Joe.  Oh the memories. See that picnic bench in the background? We just threw that away maybe 4-5 years ago, it pretty much had collapsed. I gotta think Bernie got his money's worth out of that. I really do think my love of beer is genetic.  This is from 1963.

Peace.

Kathleen Ann