Kathleen Norton Kinney (1922-2007)

I am sorry to report the passing of my grandmother's cousin Kathleen "Kay" Norton Kinney. Kay was a daughter of my grandmother's uncle, Dr. Jim Norton.


Like so many of the Nortons, Kay was educated at St. Aloysius Academy in Jersey City. She later graduated from Manhattanville College in New York City.


On 29 Septembrer 1945, she married at St. Aloysius Church to John E. "Jack" Kinney. As a young couple, they lived in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Cincinnati before settling-down in Ann Arbor, Michigan. There they joined the parish of St. Francis of Assisi and were charter members of the Huron Valley Swim Club.


Kay was known for her creative knitting, but also for her literary skills. Not only did she edit and title her husband's acclaimed speeches, but she also published volumes of her own poetry and limericks to the delight of her family and friends.


In her spare time, Kay played bridge, volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House, and helped the Father Pat Jackson House.


She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; sisters Margaret Mary Cunniff and Patricia Mullins; and granddaughter Amy LaFata.


Survivors include her children: Kathleen, Patricia, Sheila, Marian, John, Barbara, and Eileen; grandchildren Sarah & Katy LaFata, John, Peter & Maura Diamond; Mercedes Tipre, Grace Broderick, and Theresa & Winston Murphy; and brother James F. Norton, Jr.


The funeral Mass will be held at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Ann Arbor on Monday at 11am, with burial to follow at St. Thomas Cemetery. Family will receive visitors at Muehlig Chapel tomorrow, 4-8pm, with rosary to be prayed at 7:30pm. They suggest, in lieu of flowers, that donations be sent to either the Ann Arbor Ronald McDonald House or Father Pat Jackson House.


For you socks not in the Ann Arbor area who may wish to express your condolences to the family, there is an online guestbook at:


http://obits.mlive.com/AnnArbor/GB/GuestbookView.aspx?PersonId=94873915