DeMarea, Kay SL

A funeral Mass for Sister Kay (formerly Sr. Josita) DeMarea SL will be celebrated at 10 a.m. ET Saturday, July 22, with her wake at 6:30 p.m. ET Friday, July 21, both at Loretto Motherhouse, Nerinx, KY. Sister Kay died June 8, 2023, at Loretto Living Center, Loretto Motherhouse. She was 92 and in the 75th year of her Loretto commitment. Born Katherine DeMarea April 28, 1931, in Kansas City, MO. Daughter of Katherine (Mills) and Joseph DeMarea. Received into the Sisters of Loretto at the Foot of the Cross April 25, 1949. At Webster University in St. Louis, she earned a B.A. in elementary education in 1959 and an M.A. in liturgy and catechetics in 1967. She earned a doctorate in special education in 1977 from St. Louis University.

Sr. Kay's exceptional teaching ministry spanned more than a half century. In Kentucky, Sr. Kay taught parochial school students, was coordinator of the Loretto Literacy Program (1990-1995), directed an outreach program in Marion County (1995-2001) and the Loretto Child Care Program (2001-2004), served for a year as a pastoral team member at the Loretto Motherhouse Infirmary and provided community service in Bardstown and at Loretto Motherhouse. In Milledgeville, GA, she was associate professor of education at Georgia College (1976-1983), director of religious ed at Sacred Heart Parish (1983-1990) and provided private tutorial services (1980-1990). In St. Louis, Sr. Kay taught in parochial schools (1951-1952 and 1955-1966), at Webster University's College School (1966-1976) and at the Loretto Center for Learning, where she offered a special ed emphasis (1966-1972); served as a consultant with St. Louis University's Special Education Department (1973-1976); and was a teacher and chair of the Special Ed Department at Fontbonne University (1975-1976). Sr. Kay was active in parish music everywhere she had lived and often directed congregational singing. Reflecting on her years of service, Sr. Kay had said, "Everything has been worth it. They have been wonderful years."

Preceding her in death were her parents, her sister, Barbara DeMarea, and a nephew.  She is survived by a niece and nephew and her dear friend, Suzanne Reasbeck of Bardstown, KY. Burial at Our Lady of Sorrows Cemetery on the Motherhouse grounds. Memorials may be made to the Sisters of Loretto for our mission, c/o Loretto Motherhouse, 515 Nerinx Road, Nerinx, KY 40049 or as an online gift at www.lorettocommunity.org.