Mary C. "Kay" Hegarty

Mary C. “Kay” Hegarty

Age 88 of New Lenox, IL passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on Wednesday, October 1, 2025. Kay was born in Kansas City, MO to the late Charles J. and Catherine F. (nee Moylan) Doherty.

Beloved wife of the late James F. Hegarty; loving mother of Peter (Denise) Hegarty, Mike Hegarty, Wendy Hegarty, and Kevin (Natalie) Hegarty; cherished grandmother of David (Jenny) Pleski and Ryan Hegarty; loved aunt, cousin and friend of many.

At 19, Kay left Kansas City with a group of high school friends and moved to Southern California, where she met the love of her life, Jim. Together they started a family and built lasting friendships before their journey took them from California to Donegal, Ireland, then to Kansas City and Joliet, before finally settling in New Lenox, Illinois.

Kay retired after more than 25 years as an Underwriter for Ronald M. Whitaker & Company in New Lenox where she met some of her best friends. She was a volunteer and former president of the Encore Shop at Silver Cross Hospital and volunteered with the New Lenox Historical Society. Kay was a founding member of the Lincoln-Way Area Business Women’s Organization and proud member of the Irish American Society of County Will.

In retirement, Kay found immense joy in traveling, often accompanied by her dear friends Joyce, Bernadette and Mary Francis. She especially cherished her many trips to Ireland, where she visited her beloved brothers- and sisters-in-law. Kay also spent meaningful winters in California, enjoyed numerous journeys across the United States with the park district, and fulfilled a long-held dream of traveling to Italy

The family will receive friends at Kurtz Memorial Chapel 102 E. Francis Rd, New Lenox, IL on Monday, October 6, 2025, from 3 PM – 8 PM. Funeral Services Tuesday, October 7, 2025, with prayers at the funeral home at 9:15 AM then to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church (formerly St. Mary Magdalene) 201 S. Briggs St, Joliet, IL for Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM. Interment Resurrection Cemetery, Romeoville, IL.