Cora "Kay" Catherine McDonald

Catherine “Kay” Curtis McDonald, 87, a resident of Jackson, Mississippi, passed away peacefully on the 28th day of December 2018 at the Mississippi Baptist Medical Center. A woman of unwavering faith and devotion to prayer, Kay attended St. Richards Catholic Church in Jackson, Mississippi. Those who knew her best knew of her love for St. Jude. She would very often instruct her loved ones to “Pray to St. Jude”. She was dedicated to sharing the word of his ability to answer even the most impossible prayers.

Kay was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on April 15, 1931; the daughter of James E. and Cora S. Curtis. She graduated from Ladywood High School in Indianapolis, Indiana and attended Barry College in Miami Shores, Florida. After college, she worked as an X-ray technician at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. Kay lived the majority of her life in Indianapolis; but spent her last years in Jackson to be closer to her two sons there.

Famously opinionated and quick witted, Kay could light up any room. She was a dedicated football fan of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish; as well as the New England Patriots, being especially fond of Tom Brady. She loved spending time with her family, shopping, listening to Neil Diamond, enjoyed the occasional celebrity gossip magazine, and always had a stash of “Milky Ways.”

Kay is predeceased by and now reunited with her parents, husband Charles T. McDonald, Jr. and sister Mary Jo Rearden. A devoted mother, she is survived by her five children Michael (Laura), Libby (Joe), Chuck, Kevin (Ann), Bill and her brother, James J. Curtis (Barbara). She will also be fondly remembered by her six grandchildren, Meredith, Joey, Kara, Maggie, Jessica, and Brian.

The family wishes to thank those that have cared for Kay during her last years, including the staff at The Orchard Assisted Living Facility, The Chadwick Nursing Home, the staff at Hederman Cancer Center at Baptist Hospital, and Doctor’s Tim Cannon and Bobby Graham.

Services will be held on Monday, January 7, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana with interment afterwards at Calvary Cemetery.

Leppert Mortuaries, Indianapolis, have been entrusted with arrangements.