Kay Kilby Sullivan

Kay Kilby Sullivan

May 22, 1953 - November 13, 2022
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Kay's Obituary

Kay Kilby Sullivan, aged 69, earned her wings in the early morning hours of November 13, 2022, in the care of Peace Hospice, following a 3-year battle with cancer.

Kay was born on May 22,1953, in Rapid City, South Dakota, the “only child” of William “Bill” and Tillie Kilby. The Kilby’s relocated to Great Falls when Kay was a young child following her dad’s career as a mechanical engineer and mother’s nursing profession.

Kay attended Great Falls Public Schools graduating from Great Falls High in 1971, and then attended the University of Montana where she earned her degree in Foods and Nutrition Management. During both high school and college, Kay was a member of the schools’ gymnastics teams. Following her years of competition, she was a gymnastics judge for several years. For the past 17 years Kay has been a loyal Grizzly fan at Washington Grizzly stadium.

After college, Kay returned to Great Falls and worked for the school district in the school lunch program and eventually as the program director.

On July 26, 1980, Kay married Daniel Sullivan and began a quick 4-year cycle of moves to Miles City, Minneapolis, Havre, and finally back to Great Falls. Upon her return to Great Falls, Kay entered her “life’s work” as a paralegal for the next 38 years, initially supporting Susie Rebeck and for the past 25 years, Darcy Crum. Kay absolutely loved her work and the associations she developed. Even her medical treatments could not keep her from “the office.”

Kay engaged in several hobbies (inherited from her mother) cooking, shopping, holiday decorating, spring flowers, and sewing crafts. Her true enjoyment came from people. She loved to “plan events” from holiday dinners to surprise birthday parties. She would organize, plan, and “ramrod,” but her greatest pleasure was to “stand back” and watch things happen. She was much happier at the “kitchen sink” than standing in the middle of the room. The “big events” were relived and recounted many times over the years. Kay was also a loving dog mom, caring for six pets throughout her life.

Kay had a big heart when it came to friends, and she loved to watch from afar as their children grew and achieved. Over the years, she kept track of close to 20 “kids,” always enjoying their achievements and displaying pictures in her office and sewing room as each grew up. Over the years she spent countless hours searching for appropriate birthday, holiday or graduation gifts for each. Wedding gifts were an even bigger deal.

Kay valued friends, and she was blessed by a truly unique special friendship lasting basically her entire life. Karen (Aukerman) Madsen is the daughter of Kay’s dad’s college classmate. Together they maintained this relationship almost entirely “long distance” as Kay and Karen only lived in the same city for two years. Together they experienced life’s ups and downs and to this day are closer than many sisters.

She had a special friendship with Darcy Crum. Working together daily, she was able to share experiences and achievements with the Crum family. This past year, Kay enjoyed learning of Darcy’s adventures in planning her daughter’s wedding and then being able to attend the memorable event last July.

Kay’s extended family included six cousins on her father’s side in North Carolina; and 21 Schatz cousins on her mother’s side who were spread from coast to coast. Opportunities to spend time with her cousins were rare. Once Kay and Dan were married, she was sometimes overwhelmed with family activities closer to home. She equally enjoyed a holiday celebration with as few as three or a family reunion of 75. Attending a family wedding in September was a goal she successfully achieved and enjoyed every minute with this extended family.

Kay is survived by her husband, Dan; three in-laws, Colleen Sullivan of Whitefish, Larry Sullivan of Helena, and Jerry Sullivan of Billings; her uncle, Ben Schatz of Des Plaines, IL; cousins, Terry Kilby, and Virginia Caudill of Millers Creek, NC,  Sandra Smith of Lenior, NC; her many Schatz cousins; and  her dear friends, Karen Madsen of Sioux Falls, SD and Darcy Crum of Great Falls.

A vigil service will be on Tuesday, November 29, 2022, at 6:30 p.m. at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. The funeral Mass will be at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 30, 2022, at Holy Spirit Catholic church.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Great Falls Public Schools Foundation (PO Box 2429 Great Falls MT 59403), or a charity of choice.

Vigil Service

Holy Spirit Catholic Church
  • Email Details
  • 201 44th Street South
    Great Falls, MT 59405

Funeral Mass

Holy Spirit Catholic Church
  • Email Details
  • 201 44th Street South
    Great Falls, MT 59405

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