Kay M. O'Neill

Kay M. O’Neill, 88, of Kewanee, passed away on January 19, 2025 at the Hillcrest Home in rural Geneseo.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, February 8 at Saint John Paul II Parish in Kewanee. The celebrant will be Fr. Ghislain Inai, SMA. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the services at the church. Following the Mass a private inurnment will be held at Wethersfield Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the Visitation School Pre-School Program.

Kay was born August 1, 1936, in Kewanee, IL, the daughter of Louis and Celeste Johnson.  Kay graduated from Wethersfield High School in 1954. She married the love of her life Howard O’Neill on January 19, 1957 at Visitation Catholic Church. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary before Howard’s passing and our faith tells us that Howard welcomed her to heaven to celebrate their 68th.

Kay was the kindest, most loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She was always such a wonderful cook and host for holidays and many gatherings. Her family was her treasure. She leaves a son, Michael (Karol) O’Neill of Kewanee, two daughters Carrie (Brock) Wakefield of Kewanee and Liz (Pete) DeSmit of Goochland, VA, eight grandchildren, Alexis Wakefield, Aaron (Megan) Wakefield, Rachel (Matt) Perva, Kelly (Andres) Fuentes, Anna (Chris) Slover, Patrick (Emily) O’Neill, Megan (Cesare) Zannoni and Zachary (Lauren) DeSmit and eleven great grandchildren, Leeam, Conor & Ellie Slover, Carolina, Sophia and Anna Fuentes, Iver Wakefield, Benjamin & Noah Perva and Finnigan and Zealand Zannoni. She also leaves behind her very special sister, Nell Ann Smith of Moline, IL and her three children, Dustin, Tiffany & Brandon. Also survived by her nieces; Kim Johnson, Kathleen Brunner, Shelia Redman and nephews Dan and Tim O’Neill and Tim and Brian Johnson.  She was a special aunt.  She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Louis “Buster” Johnson, nieces Jody and LouAnne Johnson and numerous cousins.  

In 1953 Kay was Homecoming Queen at Wethersfield High School and in the following year, a princess for the Kewanee Centennial celebration. Kay had a desire to attend Nursing School but that was at a time when you could not be married, so she found other ways in her life to care for others. Kay was a very generous person to all those around her. She worked at the Boss Office, Faulls Furniture and YMCA (Kiddie Kollege). She retired from the YMCA after 28 years. As a pre-school teacher she touched the lives of many children, she was in her element around children.  She was a member of the Visitation Church, Saint John Paul II Parish and the Hummel Club. She made many trips in the Midwest with Howard and the Model T and Model A car clubs. Whatever her kids and grandkids were involved in she was there 100% to support them. There were many special trips over the years with friends and family, they were always planning their next adventure.

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