Kathryn E. McGilley

Kathy was born in Hibbing, MN and spent most of her early years in Duluth, MN where she graduated from East HS. Kathy attended her mother’s alma mater, Stephen’s College in Columbia, MO, with a bit of hesitation. Kismet blessedly intervened, and her reluctance transformed into love at first sight when she met Mark, her husband of 53 years, on a blind date at the Phi Delta Theta Christmas party in 1970!

Kathy’s life was centered around her family. She and Mark were blessed with 4 children and 14 grandchildren. She was the consummate wife, mother, and beloved Mimi. She tragically lost her oldest son, Matthew, who was 23, in 2000. Despite this devastating loss, she valiantly forged ahead in caring for the rest of her family. Her embracing, buoyant spirit was her most cherished quality, and will be dearly missed by her loved ones.

Cooking was Kathy’s passion and super power. She had a collection of hundreds of cookbooks and loved sharing her favorite (handwritten) recipes. Kathy & Mark loved to travel and recently visited Pawhuska, OK, the home of Ree Drummond, her favorite. Another recent trip included Trondheim, Norway, the birthplace of her paternal grandfather, Peter Bye. They had the privilege of visiting some of the most beautiful places in the world together.

Kathy is survived by her husband Mark, her son Patrick and wife Carol, her son Peter and wife Lucy, and her daughter Kathleen Asbury. She is also survived by her sister, Judy Caroline Lundberg and her brother, Peter Bye. Mimi leaves behind her 14 beloved grandchildren: Liam, Kaitlyn, Ashlyn, Sean, Gwendolyn, Seamus, Claire, Drew, Luke, Finn, Colette, Theodore, Fallon, and Salem.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 am, Wednesday, June 24 at Church of the Nativity, at 119th & Mission Road. Burial will immediately follow at Mt. Moriah Cemetery at 105th & Holmes Road. The family will greet friends at a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Matthew C. McGilley Lacrosse Scholarship Fund at Rockhurst High School.