Kathleen A. "Kay" Shilgalis Obituary (1943 - 2018)

Kathleen "Kay" Shilgalis, 75, of Normal, went home to the Lord at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center on September 26 in the presence of loving family members. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, October 5, at 11:30 a.m. at Epiphany Catholic Church, 1000 E. College Ave., Normal. Monsignor Eric Powell will be the celebrant. Visitation will precede the Mass, beginning at 10:00 in the church. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery on West College Avenue in Normal. Kay was born on March 19, 1943 in Rock Island to Jack and Kathleen Negro, who preceded her in death. She married Thomas Shilgalis at St. Pius X Church, Rock Island, on June 6, 1964. He survives in Normal. She is also survived by her son, Joseph (Jenny) Shilgalis, Naperville, her daughter, Katie Shilgalis, Genoa City, WI, and grandchildren Joshua Kozlowski, Jacob Kozlowski, Jessica Kozlowski, Kathleen Kozlowski, Brandon Shilgalis, Thomas Shilgalis and Chloe Shilgalis, as well as her brother, Joseph (Leanne) Negro, Carmel, IN, and sisters Sally Boyle, Los Angeles, and Theresa Negro-Zielke, Bean Station, TN, and several nieces and nephews. Kay graduated from Alleman Catholic High School, Rock Island, in 1961, and received bachelor's and master's degrees from Illinois State University. She taught at St. Pius X School, Rock Island, and Holy Cross School, Champaign, and at Holy Trinity School, Bloomington, from 1980 to 1991. She then taught at Central Catholic High School from 1991 to 1994. She later worked in the Holy Trinity parish center for several years. Her Catholic faith guided her entire life, as evidenced by her education and career choices. She has been a member of Epiphany Catholic Parish since 1970 and was active in Cursillo. Kay and four other women started the local Birthright chapter in 1973 and Kay served as its first director. She enjoyed travel, especially to Italy, which she visited several times. Kay will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, sister, teacher and faithful servant of her Lord, Jesus Christ. Arrangements are in the hands of Carmody-Flynn Funeral Home. Condolence messages may be left at www.carmodyflynn.com. In lieu of flowers, friends may make memorials to Epiphany Church or to Birthright of Bloomington, 505 N. Center St., Ste. 1, Bloomington, IL 61701.