Katy Urton Hawley-Maxwell

Katy Urton Hawley-Maxwell passed away on August 27, 2021, after a rollercoaster of a battle with a myriad of impressive illnesses culminating in a lost fight with cancer. From the long list of doctors to home health to finally, hospice, she was fortunate to have wonderful caring professionals. She was a bookkeeper, a mother, a quilter, an actress, a survivor, a soulmate, a Granny, and a living testament to the idea that “Kindness Matters”. She grew up in Sandy, Utah, but Prairieville, Louisiana, has been for her home for the last forty years. The first thing you noticed about Katy was her effervescent and disarming smile. If you were somehow impervious to that, she would quickly win you over with her compassion, charm, and quick wit. She handled every situation with humor. From sibling squabbles (“NO you can’t kill your brother. Do you know how hard it is to get blood out of the carpet!?”) to her diagnosis of a rare anal cancer (“But doctor… will I still be able to buttdial?”). She infused humor into every moment of her life. She had a cackle that would bounce around the room bringing ease and joy to everyone near her. To some, she was the accountant and trusted friend who they depended on to keep them out of financial ruin and emotional chaos. To others, she was the consummate performer. An actress rewarded for playing the loveable curmudgeon “Ouiser” from “Steel Magnolias” at the local community theatre. The only thing she and Ouiser had in common is that they both knew how to burp on cue. Later, she was known as the quilter. And just like the quilts she created, her life was a complex and beautiful portrait full of bright personalities and colorful relationships. She collected people the way she collected fat squares. She could easily see the good in others and welcomed them in with love that seemed effortless. She always had something to offer others and would go out of her way to make sure that she did. This meant everything from little deeds done for neighbors to supporting The Ascension Community Theatre to creating, sewing, and donating over 6,000 fabric facemasks to frontline personnel and local schools during the pandemic. For the last five years, Katy was primarily bound to her home due to her blindness, but her spirit and love travelled far and wide. She was known as Katy, but many people simply called her “Mom” or “Granny”, which was a name she wore with pride. She is survived by five children, seven grandchildren, her two loving parents, her seven brothers and sisters, her twenty-three fabulous hats, thousands of friends, and one perfect husband/soulmate, Kenny Maxwell, to whom she spent twenty-nine glorious years with. In lieu of flowers, consider doing something Katy would have done. Donate blood. Buy someone in need a meal. Make a new friend. Craft something beautiful. Add a little light to the darkness. Family and friends are invited to attend the visitation at Ourso Funeral Home in Gonzales on Friday, September 3, from 6 pm to 8 pm, and will continue Saturday, from 9 am until time of funeral service at 10 am. Interment will follow at Hope Haven Prairieville.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.oursofh.com for the Hawley-Maxwell family.