Catherine L. Day

1925 - 2015

Catherine L. Day

Catherine Louise ("Kay") Day

passed away at her home in Seattle on Christmas Eve, 2015, after 90 years on this earth. Catherine was the beloved mother of 9 children, the cherished grandmother to 4 grandchildren, and a person who gave unconditional love and support to many people throughout her life.

Catherine was born in the late summer of 1925, on September 9, in Logansport, Indiana, the only daughter of Frank Burgess and Lillian Burgess. She was raised on an Indiana farm before moving to Chicago as a teenager, a city she always loved. Catherine attended high school at Loretto Academy on the southeast side of Chicago, where she was taught a variety of subjects by dedicated Roman Catholic nuns, including classes in poetry, composition, math and short hand. She also learned the most beautiful handwriting one can imagine. She used those skills after graduation to work her way up at the beautiful old Stevens Hotel on Grant Park in Chicago. It was here that she met her future husband and hotel manager Steve J. Day. Catherine and Steve lived and worked at several grand hotels in Chicago before entering into business with Catherine's mother Lillian and adoptive father Jack Bell, purchasing the rights to the Hole-in-One Donuts franchise for the Northwest and Alaska.

Moving to Seattle in 1954 with the first 4 of their children, the family opened their first donut shop in Lake City. Catherine and Steve soon bought a house in the Cedar Park neighborhood. They were also founding members of St. Matthew Catholic Church and school, where their children all started in their education. By 1962, they had opened several more donut shops and built a new house in Cedar Park, a home where Catherine would live for the rest of her life. Also by 1962 they had 5 more children, for a total of 9 kids, all of whom would pack into the white Catalina station wagon with their mom, with lots of stares (and counting) by other drivers.

Catherine thought nothing of organizing spur of the moment trips to Ocean Shores with all 9 kids and friends (usually at least 1 or 2 of the Walker girls). She loved the ocean and in the 1970's opened a donut shop with her mother Lillian at Ocean Shores. She retired from that work back at her large home in Seattle, where she never turned away a stray cat or dog needing help or a home, and never said no to a friend or relative in need of a comforting place to stay.

Catherine is survived by her children Elizabeth Day (and husband Christopher Stocking) of London, England, Suzan Day of Seattle, Patrice Day of Seattle, Cynthia Day of Redondo Beach, CA, Sandrina Day of Seattle, Stephen Day (and wife Nancy Josephson and grandchildren Anna Josephson-Day and Audrey Josephson-Day) of Seattle, Stefany Day of Seattle and Andrea Huber (and husband Kevin Huber and grandchildren Mia Huber and Nikolai Huber) of Seattle. She is also survived by her sister Sally Paul of Lynwood, WA, her niece Terri Ann Kilborn of Wasilla, AK, her nephews Jimmy Nelson and Mikey Nelson of Lake Forest Park, WA, her nephews Mike Day of Minneapolis, MN and George Day of Brooklyn Center, MN, and cousins Dee Dee Klotz of Florida, Vicki Hopkins of Florida and Michelle Becker of Indiana. She is predeceased by her husband Steve and her daughter Kathleen Day.

Catherine's funeral mass will be celebrated Saturday January 2, 2016 at 1:30 pm at St. Matthew Catholic Church, 1240 NE 127th St. in Seattle. A reception will follow in the social hall.

A celebration of life will be held on Monday January 4, 2016, with viewing beginning at 10:00 am and a memorial service at noon, followed by graveside service and reception at Acacia Memorial Park and Funeral Home, 14951 Bothell Way NE, Lake Forest Park, WA. In lieu of flowers donations should be sent to the ASPCA or the Union Gospel Mission of Seattle. You may sign Catherine's online guestbook at www.acaciafuneralhome.com.