Marilyn Kay Morris

Marilyn Kay (McDonald) Morris (8/18/1942 – 12/13/2024) was a beloved and compassionate care giver her whole life. Kay grew up the daughter of William T. and Mary Earle McDonald and her early years and fondest memories are her time in Mokane. Kay graduated high school across the river in Cahokia, IL. And went on to nursing school. Kay worked as an RN and dedicated her career to helping the elderly. She married William W. Perry of Mt. Vernon, IL and they moved to Alaska! She had a son, William M Perry in 1976 and they shortly thereafter moved to Utah. There Kay worked in elderly care facilities and became a crusader in cleaning out frauds and abuses to the elderly. She worked with state law enforcement and became an administrator at several care homes where she focused on patient care and respect and love for the residents are their families.

After her marriage with William ended, she moved with her son back to Cahokia where her career shifted to teaching. She taught many students to enter the nursing profession with competence and mostly, care. She gave of her time to help hundreds of students from East and South St. Louis get into the profession that she had dedicated so much too and was constantly stopped and thanked by students and their families whenever she was out and about!

She later married Bev Hodges Morris and she and her son went back to Alaska. There she got her bachelor’s degree from the University of Alaska Anchorage and continued her work with the elderly. She was integral in developing housing and care facilities in rural Alaska and worked for the State to develop programs and help the elderly keep their independence. In those times she was also known to be called on in the middle of the night to drive in horrible conditions to tend to those who needed emergency care where no ambulance or medical service went!

In 1994 she moved back to Utah and completed her master’s degree in science from the University of Utah and was certified as a nurse practitioner. She worked with the Veteran’s Administration and developed new diagnosis and care routine for diabetics that are still in use today.

Kay cared for her family too. She nursed her parents as they preceded her and she nursed her husband, Bev when he passed as well. After a long retirement, her son finally convinced her to move closer to him in Western Colorado in 2022. There she was more able to see her only child and her two grandchildren who all survive her and know her as their feisty, intelligent, adventurous and independent “Grammy”.

Kay will be laid to rest alongside her parents in Mokane, MO where, despite all of her travels around this great country, she always considered her HOME. She will be sorely missed by her family and her friends but celebrated as a fantastic example of life and love.

Private family graveside will be held in Mokane Cemetery in Mokane, MO.