Mary Kay McGovern-Gaspard

Mary Kay (McGovern) Gaspard, of Gonzales, beloved mother, Mimi, daughter, sister, Nannie, and friend was called home by our Lord, Jesus, on Sunday, December 17, 2017, to join her Dad and loving family members in Heaven. She was 58. Kay had a long battle with CREST Syndrome, and she was thrilled to finally receive her "golden liver" transplant on December 13th. As much as her disease had taken a toll on her body, it never took away her love and spirit. Mary Kay had a huge and tender heart, and she found great joy in doing things for other people. She never met a person (or a rhinestone) that she didn't like, and her kindness and generosity in doing for others extends beyond her passing to the Christmas cards and gifts she already had wrapped and prepared for friends and family before she entered the ICU and Transplant Unit at Ochsner. Mary Kay deeply loved her daughter, mom, siblings, nieces, nephews, and extended family members and friends. However, her heart was fullest when she doted on her two precious granddaughters -- Mimi's "babies." Born to John and Mary (Wattigny) McGovern, in New Orleans, Kay was raised in Algiers until her family moved to Baton Rouge before she started high school. She was a graduate of Lee High School in Baton Rouge, and she attended USL in Lafayette. Mary Kay worked for United Companies Mortgage in Baton Rouge for many years, leading their customer service division. She was well known for her people skills and her ability to make others feel validated. Mary Kay greatly enjoyed traveling, visiting with others, and cutting up with family and friends. She always had a suitcase ready for her next adventure and those opportunities to perhaps do a little shopping along the way. As someone who had seen many challenges and setbacks throughout her illness, she understood the importance of sharing time, making memories, showing kindness, and sharing laughter. She never failed to let others know that she loved them "to the moon and back."Mary Kay is survived by her mother, Mary (Wattigny) McGovern, daughter, Alycia Kay Brown Detillier, brothers, John (Kristy) and Kelly (Diane) McGovern, sister, Dru (David) Robinett, granddaughters, Ellie Kay and Maddie Margaret Detillier, nieces and nephews, Amelia, John, Sydney and Makenzie McGovern and Emily and Grant Robinett. The family would like to give a special thank you to the Transplant team at Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans and all of the generous doctors and nurses who lovingly cared for "Miss Kay." She would want everyone to consider becoming an organ donor, as it gave her hope for the future, and it saves so many lives. Services will be held at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Prairieville on Friday, December 22nd, with visitation starting at 9:30 and the funeral mass at 11:00 a.m. Visitation with family and friends will be available the evening before (Thursday) at Ourso Funeral Home in Gonzales in the main chapel from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Burial will be at Cornerview Cemetery. Arrangements under the direction of Ourso Funeral Home, Gonzales, LA.