Kay Whitfield

Mary Kay Whitfield, 63, of Quincy, died May 26, 2017, at her home.

Kay was born June 16, 1953, in Quincy, a daughter of James T. and Polly (Sander) Whitfield.

Kay graduated from Quincy High School in 1971 and from Drake University in 1976. After graduating from Drake University, Kay became involved in politics in the state of Iowa which led her to Washington, D.C., where she worked for the Democratic party and the Jimmy Carter presidential administration in the late 1970s. From Washington, D.C., Kay moved to southwest Virginia where she lived for over 20 years before moving back to Quincy to become a freelance journalist and writer.

Kay enjoyed cooking, reading and gardening. She appreciated music and liked to attend a variety of live concerts and musicals, and she was a fan of the St. Louis Cardinals.

She was a lifetime member of Salem Evangelical United Church of Christ.

Our sister, Kay, loved her family and enjoyed spending time with them. Her nephews meant the world to her. She was witty and funny, and she always managed to make us laugh. She was a loving sister, aunt and friend, who had a beautiful, bright smile that we will always remember.

Survivors include a brother, Jim Whitfield and his wife, Jodi, of Quincy and a sister, Janet Griffard and her husband, Steve, of St. Louis. She is also survived by five nephews, Stephen C. Griffard, Neal P. Griffard, Devin J. Bradney, Sander J. B. Whitfield and Barrett M. Whitfield.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

SERVICES: 11 a.m. Friday, June 2, at Duker and Haugh Funeral Home. Interment will be at a later date in Greenmount Cemetery.

VISITATION: 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, June 1, at the funeral home.

MEMORIALS: Horizon's Food Pantry and Soup Kitchen or to the charity of the donor's choice.

ARRANGEMENTS: Duker and Haugh Funeral Home.

WEBSITE: dukerandhaugh.com.

Condolences may be expressed online at whig.com.