Katherine M. Marshall

Katherine (Kay) M. Marshall, 92, of Effingham, passed away on Friday, February 7, 2025, at StoneBridge Memory Care in Effingham.
Kay was born June 19, 1932, in Blenheim, New York. She married Raymond Gene Marshall, Sr., on December 22, 1955, in Heidelberg, Germany, where both were serving in the U.S. Army. He preceded her in death in 2015.
After raising two children to school age, Kay attended and graduated from Lake Land College and Eastern Illinois University, where she attained a master's degree in education. She enjoyed a long career as an elementary school teacher in Effingham and Jasper counties.
Kay was an avid and successful gardener, annually raising homegrown tomatoes and beautiful flowers. She loved her pets, particularly her cat Rosie, and various dogs throughout the years. Kay was a strong, determined woman and loving mother, who remained in the home she loved until age 90. At that time she was still mowing her yard with a push mower in the summer heat and refusing offers of help from her concerned neighbors.
She is survived by her daughter, Judy, of Carbondale; son, Ray, of Des Moines, IA; grandchildren, Eileen of Chicago and Andy of Des Moines, IA; and sister-in-law, Jan Nevrenchan of Montross, VA.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her brother.
The family extends its appreciation to the staff at StoneBridge for the care and compassion provided to Kay. The family also thanks the Transitions Care staff who provided comfort and support during the last two months.
There is no service planned at this time. Memorials may be made to the Effingham County Humane Society.