Mary Kathryn "Kay" Hebinck

Mary Kathryn Kennedy (Kay) Hebinck, 97, died December 21, 2011, in Houston, Texas. She was born in Mineral Springs, Arkansas to Leeland L. Kennedy and Lydia Lucille Huddleston, and was raised with her two sisters, Helen and Edna Lee. In 1933, she married Raymond Vincent Hebinck of Sayre, Oklahoma. Three of her sons, Bernard Leeland, William Raymond, and Robert Vernon were born in Tulsa, Chickasha, and Enid, Oklahoma, respectively. In 1947, they moved to Port Arthur, Texas where their fourth son, Fredrick James was born.

Kay was a devout practicing Catholic, having converted to Catholicism when she married. She also served as President of the Business and Professional Women’s Club for the area, was a supporter of the Melody Maids, and worked in the apartment management business until she was 80 years old. She was a wise counselor, a trusted confidante to an extensive and loving family and a generous hostess to numerous relatives and friends who frequently visited at her Houston “Cottage” on Caroline Street. At great sacrifice, but always with cheerful encouragement, Kay and her husband Ray succeeded in giving all four of their sons college educations.

Kay was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her son, Robert (Bob), and her two sisters, Helen and Edna Lee. She is survived by her three sons, Bernard and his longtime companion, Shirley Westbrook; William and his wife Mary Ann; Frederick and his wife Jema; and by Robert’s widow, Clarice. She is also survived by 9 devoted and loving grandchildren, and 19 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great-grandsons, former daughter-in-law, Marilyn Hebinck Hill and numerous family friends, especially her faithful friend, Shirley Westbrook, who cared for Kay with attentive love and devotion and immeasurably filled her life with much laughter.

The family wishes to express their special gratitude to the wonderful staff of St. Dominic’s Village, for their compassionate care for more than a decade in the Assisted Living Center and Nursing Home.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, December 27, 2011 at Forest Park Westheimer Funeral Home from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm with a Rosary at 7:00 pm. A Mass of the Faithful will be celebrated in the Chapel of Forest Park Westheimer Funeral Home at 10:00 am on Wednesday, December 28, 2011. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Dominic Village, the University of St. Thomas, or charity of your choice.