Catherine "Kay" Markham, age 82, of Manistee, Michigan, died Thursday morning, November 2, 2023 at Munson Healthcare Manistee Hospital. S

he was born on June 9,1941 in Grand Rapids, Michigan and was the daughter of the late Alphonsus and Ethel (Nies) Hillary. Kay was a graduate of Grand Rapids Catholic Central High School with the class of 1959. She attended Mercy Hospital School of Practical Nursing in Cadillac, Michigan and received her Licensed Practical Nursing degree. Kay married William "Bill" Markham on August 18, 1962 at Saint Alphonsus Catholic Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan. They enjoyed over 51 years of marriage, before Bill's death passing, on October 9, 2013.

She enjoyed attending and watching her grandchildren's sporting events and school activities. She loved watching movies and the game show network, reading, and working on cross word puzzles. Kay was inducted into the Manistee Catholic Central Hall of Fame in 2016. She was a member of the Divine Mercy Parish of Manistee (St. Joseph Catholic Church).

She is survived by two daughters and sons in-law; Hilary and Brian McKie and Staci and Jeff Johnson all of Manistee, MI, two sons and daughters in-law; Scott and Rhonda Markham of East Grand Rapids, MI, and Shawn and Kim Markham of Ludington, MI, 14 grandchildren; Nick Doyle (Jenna Johnson), Haley Doyle (Jamie Davis), Kara (Ben) Heavenrich, Nathan (Tiffany) Markham, Zachary (Avreil) Markham Ryan (Jenna) Markham, Sophie Markham, Justin Markham, Lauren Markham (Max Madden), Emily (Quinn) Phelps, Blake Johnson, Kaylyn Johnson, Brenna Johnson and Hannah Johnson, 3 great grandchildren; Isabella Cooper, William Markham, and Aliza Markham, her sister and two brothers in-law; Judy and Tom Wilt and Jim (Betty) Bolger, five brothers and sisters in-law; Bernie and Pat Hillary, Ron and Rosie Hillary, Ted and Kathy Hillary, Ken and Meg Hillary and Ray and Saori Hillary. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive her.

Kay was also preceded in death by her infant brother, Roger Hillary and by two sisters and a brother in-law; Noreen and Bob Earhart and Eileen Bolger.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated, Saturday, November 11, 2023 at 11:00 am at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Manistee with Reverend Michael Lingaur celebrant. Burial will follow at Mount Carmel Cemetery also in Manistee.

The family will receive friends at the church on Saturday morning, one hour prior to the funeral mass at 11:00 am.

A memorial will be established in Kay's name for Manistee Catholic Central Schools. Envelopes will be available at the church on Saturday morning.

"Kay was a true-blue SABER"

The Herbert Funeral Home of Manistee is in charge of funeral arrangements.