Catherine McKeever

A long-time Billings resident, Kay passed away Monday, August 23rd 2010, in Boise, Idaho after a brief illness. Although she was a recent resident of Boise, she always took pride in her Montana roots, from which she drew strength and comfort.On February 18, 1927 Kay was born in Miles City, the daughter of Patrick and Edna Nichols. She grew up in Otter Creek, and as a child, enjoyed exploring the nearby hills, where she discovered and collected Native-American artifacts. Some of her fondest memories were of her childhood trip by car to Wisconsin to visit her fathers relatives. She spoke of it often over the years and had many memorable stories. She graduated from Lodge Grass High School.Kay graduated from nursing school in Missoula near the end of WWII. She later moved to Billings where she worked at the Billings Childrens Clinic. She met Dan McKeever in Billings, and they married there in 1956. She and Dan raised their family there, interrupted by a few years in Great Falls. Dan passed away in Billings in 1993.Besides raising her family, her passions included quilting and gardening. She was always dreaming up new and beautiful patterns for her many quilts, and kept an open eye for bits of fabric that would add that extra flair to her creations. Her garden tomatoes and squash were her pride and joy, and her transplanted Irises continue to blossom in Boise.Kay is survived by daughter Anita and her husband Neil Parpart, daughter Linda and her husband Jeff Culver, her son Jerry, and her grandchildren Hannah, Cavan, and Melissa Parpart. She is also survived by her sisters Josephine Axlund, Lucille Bradley, Virginia Mourich, and her brother Vincent Edward Nichols.A memorial service will be held 11:00 a.m. Monday, August 30th, at Dahl Chapel Billings; committal will be in Holy Cross Cemetery. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.dahlfuneralchapel.com.