Katherine B. Andersen

Katherine (Kay) Berry Andersen died peacefully in her sleep, surrounded by her loving children, on March 18, 2024. Kay was born in Cambridge, New York, on June 7, 1933.

Kay is survived by her four devoted children: Donald Andersen (Kerri Kennard Andersen); Elizabeth (Betsy) Andersen (Steve Turner); Mary Andersen-Couraud (Frank Couraud); and Andy Andersen (Beth Doucette Andersen). Kay was a loving grandmother to Margaret (Maggie) Spoelhof; Hannah Andersen Salit (Heath); Oliver Bashlawi (Annemarie Glaesel Bashlawi); Max Bashlawi; Julia Andersen Furukawa (Kenzo); Andrew Andersen and Mary Andersen. She is also survived by 5 much loved great-grandchildren: Joseph, Evelyn, and Mitchell Wilson; Anders and Diederik Spoelhof; and her adoring niece, Diane Berry Jakubowski (Brian).

She was pre-deceased by her husband, Donald Edward Andersen; sister Martha Berry Briguglio (Philip); brother Daniel Berry (Carolyn) and granddaughter Emily Andersen Wilson (Dan).

Kay attended Art School in Manhattan, New York, and workedas a graphic artist and art researcher. After marrying in 1955 in Cranford, New Jersey, Kay and her husband Don moved first to River Forest, then settled in Glen Ellyn to raise their family. There, Kay would be an active participant in the Glen Ellyn community for over 60 years. She had a vibrant professional life, first working at Patricia Lacock’s Antiques, and then as a licensed Realtor with Rich Port Realtors and Century Twenty-One. Kay was an active charitable supporter throughout her life. For example, she served as an Art Lady in District 41’s primary schools, was a Catechism teacher at St Petronille’s Church, and volunteered as a Teacher’s Aid at Michael Faraday Elementary School in Chicago.

A memorial gathering will be held 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 21 at Leonard Memorial Home, 565 Duane St. in Glen Ellyn. A funeral Mass will be the following day, 11 a.m. on Friday, March 22 at St. Petronille Church, 420 Glenwood Ave. in Glen Ellyn.  The Mass will be live-streamed via the following link https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvNo_3DRlBPSBkdhbEB3j7Q/  After mass, the interment will be at Forest Hill Cemetery, corner of Riford and St. Charles Roads in Glen Ellyn. 

In lieu of flowers, donations are gratefully received by the American Cancer Society (https://donate.cancer.org) or to Easterseals DuPage & Fox Valley (https://easterseals.com).

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