Kathryn Keating Day

"Your face tells a story about the places you have been,
I love you so.
I thought you should know..."
https://youtu.be/RX_VXoi4Rck?si=yT5afd1twb3R_uKn

Russell and Sharon,

Barbara and I are so saddened by Kathryn's passing, and it was certainly a shock to me to learn of it this past Friday at our monthly MUS lunch. Words are insufficient, but please know that our dedicated prayers are with you both and with your entire family at this very difficult time.

Mike and Barbara Fitzgerald

An exuberant and effervescent soul that you could never mistake. She will be so missed.

My heart aches for the Day family with the loss of Kathryn. Our friend, Lauren, shared some of these pics and memories with me after we heard of Kathryn´s passing. Kathryn was truly a light with her joyful, contagious spirit and her kind heart. She had a way about her of making everyone in the room smile and laugh. One of my favorite memories was from 9th grade drivers Ed class. Kathryn, Lauren, Morgan and I all took drivers Ed together. The instructor had all the kids sit down on the first day of class to go over the rules, etc. and do some introductions. He told everyone to take out a piece of paper, write down their names + where they went to school. He specifically said, "now make sure you write your first and last name and don´t go writing anything crazy like `Sweet Spirit´ down because we´ll use this for attendance and introductions." Kathryn glanced at us across the room with her signature smirk. About 20 minutes later, he started reading off the names and made people raise their hand so he could put a name with a face. A frown quickly appeared on his face as he called out "Sweet Spirit." We all cracked up while Kathryn raised her hand and very boldly and loudly said, "here!!!" For the next 8 weeks or so, the instructor referred to her as "Sweet Spirit," and he smiled and we laughed every time. That was Kathryn. While we hadn´t seen each other in some time, Lauren & I reached out to her a couple of years ago to reconnect and get to lunch. The 2 of us went to dinner last night, talked KDay stories the whole entire time, and wished we made that lunch date happen. My heart is completely shattered for you guys, and I will continue lifting you up in prayer. We love you KDay/Sweet Spirit!

I fondly remember my time with Kathryn at CUMC youth group. We were often up to no good, sneaking off, getting into trouble, looking for ways to make sense of our youth and our place in the world. I remember it was mostly she and two other boys and me hanging out--she was basically one of the boys as far as we were concerned. She had a way of seeing the world that did not always conform to the norm and she didn't seem to have problem with being open about who she was and how she saw things. This came out in her art and fashion and style. We drifted apart, always friendly when we saw each other out around Memphis over the years. I saw her last on St. Patrick's Day, randomly at a Bright Eyes concert. She was outside taking a break from the music--we agreed that the music was too sad and reminding us of old friends and the past and kept making each of us cry. We laughed and reminisced and then wandered back in to hear the rest of the show together. I remember the singer ended the show by saying something like "Take care of each other and stay alive!" I would have given her an extra hard hug if I'd had known it was the last time I'd see her. My condolences to her loving family and friends. Love you Kathryn!

Spent time with Kat before she died taking her all over Whitehaven, Her grandparents and great grandparents grave sites, had Jack Pirtle chicken and went to MUS to show her the history of her father, my brother Russell. She had not seen any of what I showed her nor knew about the events and history. She had a great eye for photography and brought her single reflex along snapping away. That was the last I saw her, 2 1/2 weeks before she died.

I only knew Kathryn for a short time, but she brought joy into my life every time I saw her. I met her through a local non-profit and I always saw her light shining through the darkness surrounding her. We connected over the love of music and shared the same favorite band, Ween. She truly did care about her health and wellbeing, as was exhibited by her participation with A Betor Way, and she always told me she wanted to give back and help other people. I am so sorry for her loss, because she was a force of nature.

Oh Sharon, my heart aches for you and Russell and the family. Please know that I am holding you in my prayers.

I have so many memories of Sweet Katherine, watching her grow up at Christ Church. She always had the sweetest smile that warmed your heart and filled the room. Such a sweet, precious young lady.
Please know I am lifting all of you up in prayer and asking God to send His Holy Spirit, the great Comforter, to surround you all with God´s love! Please know how much you loved for all of us!

My heart is broken and I grieve with you. You are all a second family to me (and I know many others as well). Kathryn will forever hold a special place in my heart. She is part of my fondest childhood memories of growing up on Gayle lane. Her gift of making everyone around her smile is unparalleled. I will forever remember Kathryn as a light, incredibly creative, an artist, a beautiful ballet dancer, a comedian, a friend, loyal, a free spirit, non-judgmental, not afraid to be herself. I pray that God holds you all tight in His arms while you mourn her loss. There is so much love around you because there are so many people that love and cherish Kathryn and the whole Day family. Her light will continue to shine through her art, the joy she brought to so many people, and through her family. I am so sorry for your loss.

Kathryn had an enormous spirit of curiosity. Once when I was co-opping (babysitting) the Day children, we went to McDonald's for lunch and to play in the inside gym. When counting, "six heads" (Tubervilles and Day children), I was only finding 5. Where was Kathryn? She was curious about how they made hamburgers and was helping them in the kitchen! There are so many wonderful memories of Kathryn and I know these memories will live on and on with those who knew her.

Steve and I are so sad to hear about Kathryn. She was a bright light from the minute she was born. You are in our prayers and we know she is in the arms of Jesus. May God comfort those she loved. God is near.
Love, Steve and Mindy Hand

Sharon, Russell & family, my heart has been aching since I heard you had lost Kathryn. Please know that I think of you each day and my prayers are with you through the most challenging time of your lives.

Love you,
Lynn Cherry

Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May God give you comfort in a lifetime of the good memories. Love, Barbara and Ken

Sharon and Russell, Andy, Margaret and family, deepest sympathy and prayers for comfort and peace for all of you from Matt, Denise, Jeffrey, and Abby. Our hearts hurt for you at the loss of your bright and beautiful Kathryn.

Kathryn was the sweetest person with a beautiful smile. She lit up a room by her kindness and her beautiful spirit. My deepest condolences to Sharon and Russell and her family and friends. She will be missed by so many who were honored to know her. Much Love, Beverly McAndrews