Kay Farrell

Kay Farrell looked after others with a loving and nurturing spirit. Generous and giving, she was the "go to" person in the family and a true matriarch. She will be lovingly remembered for her lifetime of care-taking, whether it was family, friends, or the wayward animal. She had a fondness for entertaining and traveling. Deeply missed, the memory of Kay will be kept close in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.

As the U.S. was slowly emerging from the Great Depression, President Franklin D. Roosevelt helped strengthen the economy with the establishment of the minimum wage law in 1938. It was also a year filled with new technology, cartoons and movie greats. But anticipation of new life filled the hearts of Walter and Jessie (Brailey) Smith that early spring when they welcomed the birth of their little girl, Kay Joann on March 16th.

The fourth of five children, Kay was born in the riverfront city of Grand Rapids, Michigan where she grew up with four brothers. Her father worked at Michigan Wheel, and her mother was a homemaker. Kay spent wonderful summer days at Big Crooked Lake where she learned to swim and water ski. She also had a love for music which she shared with her brother, Art. Kay sang while he played the banjo. She taught herself to play the piano by ear, often playing some of her favorite melodies including “You Are My Sunshine”, “Heart & Soul” and “Amazing Grace”.

While in high school, Kay made many friends with her outgoing and fun loving ways. She met her future husband, Patrick "Pat" Farrell while walking down the street. Quite common then, Pat asked Kay if she needed a ride. How could a girl refuse when he was driving his blue 1946 Ford Convertible? The year was 1954 and it was the beginning of many memorable years to come for the young couple. Pat graduated from high school, and even though he went on to attend Michigan State University where he studied agriculture, he and Kay remained sweethearts.

Once Kay graduated from Creston High School in 1956, she and Pat were happily married in Grand Rapids on April 14, 1956. With no time or money for a honeymoon, Kay and Pat began their new life together. As they welcomed their firstborn, they even made do without a refrigerator in one of their apartments. They also lived for a couple years with Pat’s dad on the family farm in Lowell. Surely a shock for a "city girl" like Kay, she reluctantly adjusted to the lack of indoor plumbing, not to mention the pigs and cows!

Pat went on to graduate from MSU, and in 1963 they purchased their first home in the community of Belmont. It was in this house where Kay raised their five children and made a good home for the family she loved. A devout Catholic, Kay nurtured her family in the faith that brought her comfort. She was always involved with the kids and their many activities, too. They camped in their motor home often, and when Pat worked on the road frequently, Kay would find a campground nearby so they could all be together. When Kay’s parents began wintering in Okeechobee, Florida, the Farrell clan headed south in their motor home to visit them every Christmas. The family also spent great times enjoying Big Crooked Lake just as Kay had as a young girl.

Everyone loved Kay, and always the caretaker, her nurturing nature was a large part of her generous personality. Kay was a good cook and had to be for all the additional kids and family members she welcomed throughout the years in their times of need. For 13 years, Kay selflessly took care of her mother in their home as well. She simply had a way of taking care of everyone. Often times, Pat brought home injured animals from work. From dogs to birds to cats to even raccoons, Kay lovingly nursed them back to health. Kay even had a huge bird feeder built which held 500 pounds of seed! Animals were always coming to her back door, and she fed them all.

Quite the hostess, Kay loved to entertain. In Kay and Pat’s earlier years, they enjoyed playing card games with friends on Saturday nights. She and Pat also hosted an annual pig roast party for 31 years. It all began as a small get-together for their son’s birthday and eventually grew to over 500 people! It became a reunion for family and friends as well as a company picnic, all in one. Annually held the last Saturday in July, Kay always joked it was their last, but nevertheless, it continued year after year. Her love of entertaining also included New Year's Eve and Christmas parties complete with an enormous spread of food.

In 1976, Pat began his own business, Car Crusher, and in the early days, Kay helped with the books. Then in 1986 Pat started Kalamazoo Metal Recycling which continues to be a family business today. In their later years, Pat and Kay had time for travel, which they loved. Especially interested in genealogy, they visited family roots in Ireland and returned several times. Besides Ireland, Pat and Kay travelled to many countries together including Germany, France, England, Australia, New Zeeland, and Mexico. In 2008, Kay made a trip to Rome, Italy with her daughters and granddaughters as a very special girls’ vacation.

Kay and Pat moved to Otsego in 1989, and by far, Kay was the happiest when surrounded by family. She adored her 15 grandchildren, and she made each one feel special. She was always babysitting several munchkins at once. She taught the grandbabies how to swim, and they looked forward to her treats like Oreo cookies and milk before bedtime. Each year, Kay and her family enjoyed renting cottages on the Michigan lakeshore so they could all enjoy the beach and summer sun together. Kay especially loved the holidays with her family by her side as well.

For fun, Kay liked going to the local casinos, and she was pretty lucky when it came to playing the slots and poker. She enjoyed the occasional Manhattan or White Russian, and her delicious taco salads were always requested at gatherings. Each night, Kay liked to wind down before bed by watching the late evening news. Shopping was also an outlet Kay enjoyed. Some of her best shopping trips included taking all the girls to Chicago which they will always fondly remember. Even in Kay’s later years, she enjoyed wearing fun clothing, perfume, and accessories, liked getting her hair and nails done, and always looked lovely.

Sadly, in the spring of this year, Kay was diagnosed with bile duct cancer. These past months were quite a struggle, and at the age of 75, she died on Saturday, August 17, 2013 at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo surrounded by her family.

No one will ever forget the generosity or welcoming nature of Kay Farrell. She lived with outstretched arms towards everyone, and loved her family deeply as a devoted wife, dedicated mother and grandmother, and dear friend. Dearly loved, she will be incredibly missed.

Kay was preceded in death by her son, Michael Farrell; four brothers: Walter, Carl, Arthur, and Robert Smith. Members of her family include her husband of 57 years, Patrick Farrell; four children: Linda (Bruce) Lamphear, Patrick (Angie) Farrell, Jr., William Farrell, Lisa (Todd) Goosen; 15 grandchildren; many nieces and nephews.

Learn more about Kay and visit with her family and friends while sharing refreshments on Tuesday, August 20 from 5-8 PM at the Life Story Funeral Home, Betzler-Kalamazoo, 6080 Stadium Drive; 375-2900 where the Rosary will be recited at 8:00 PM. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, August 21, 11:00 AM at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church (4351 Parnell Ave NE, Ada) with final viewing at 10:00 AM at the church. Burial at St. Patrick’s Cemetery. Memorial donations to St. Margaret’s Catholic Church. A luncheon will follow in the church hall. Please visit Kay’s personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can share a favorite memory, photo and sign her online guest book before coming to the funeral home.