Mary Kathryn Neal

1946 - 2024

Mary Kathryn Neal

June 5, 1946 - March 7, 2024

NAPA - Mary Kathryn Neal, age 77, of Napa, CA, passed away peacefully at her home on March 7, 2024, after a three year battle with cancer.

The daughter of Dr. James and Barbara Goodman, Kay (as she was widely known as), was born on June 5, 1946, in Oskaloosa, IA. Kay grew up in Pleasant Hill, IL, a small town in Pike County, located in Western Illinois. She attended Pleasant Hill Elementary and graduated from Pleasant Hill High School in 1964.

After high school, Kay attended Cottey College, a private women's school in Nevada, MO, for two years, where she studied liberal arts. Upon promotion, she enrolled at Presbyterian-St. Luke's Hospital School of Nursing in Chicago, IL, graduating in 1968. During the final month of her education, she attended an outdoor music concert at the Medical Complex. Before it was broken up due to multiple noise complaints, she had met, who would later become the love of her life, Gary Neal. They left the concert together, went for a beer, started dating, and married later that year on December 22, 1968.

Soon after marrying, the couple moved to La Mesa (SD), CA, where Gary served the US Navy as a dentist from 1969 to 1971. They moved to Lodi, CA, in 1971, then found their forever home in Napa in 1972.

Kay's nursing career spanned three decades and took her from family medicine to plastic surgery. During her time as a plastic surgery nurse, she was honored to be part of numerous Interplast trips around the world (SE Asia, Ecuador, Peru, Jamaica, Mexico) where she and the team performed surgeries on the underprivileged.

Life offered joy to Kay in a variety of ways. As a young adult, she competed in tennis tournaments and enjoyed La Cancha exercise classes. With age, she played cards, knitted, and went on walks with friends. She loved art, and found a passion with her watercolor painting. What brought the most joy, however, was spending time with her family, specifically her grandchildren. Weekly family dinners were of the utmost importance.

Kay was an active member of the Napa Methodist Church and had a strong faith in God, family, and community. She was a caretaker and took great pride in serving and supporting others. During her kids' and grandkids' school years, Kay loved volunteering for all the events. Later, she shifted that energy to fostering cats through Whiskers, Tails, and Ferals. It is not an overstatement to say hundreds of felines felt love and found a home thanks to Kay's personal touch.

Retirement brought the opportunity to travel and her and Gary took full advantage. The couple saw much of the world over the years, highlighted by trips to Cuba, France, Germany, London, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, and Israel. Kay had a heart for humanity and her travels only strengthened her connection with the people of the world.

Kay is survived by her husband, Dr. Gary Neal; her two sons: Andy Neal (Michelle Fisher) and Cam Neal (Holly Neal); her daughter, Rebecca Washburn (Alexandria Washburn); her six grandchildren: Tannon Hedges, Alex Neal, Brenden Neal, Olivia Neal, Caitlyn Neal, and Samuel Neal; her three brothers: Steve Goodman, Ric Goodman, and Doug Goodman; numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

There will be a church service at Napa's Methodist Church on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at 11:00 a.m., followed by a celebration of life at the Napa Elk's Lodge at 1:00 p.m.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, please send donations to Whiskers, Tails, and Ferals at 1370 Trancas St. #206, Napa, CA, 94558.