"Thanksgiving 2015"
Kay Valerie McCrea, 79, of Buda, Texas passed away on April 2, 2021 in Austin, Texas. Kay was born in Brooklyn Heights, Ohio to Elmer and Ruth Jenkins on January 20, 1942.
Kay went to high school at Heights School in Cuyahoga Heights, Ohio and graduated in 1959. After putting herself through nursing school at Cuyahoga County School of Nursing, she became a Registered Nurse in 1962.
She was a loving wife to Lt. Colonel Michael D. McCrea. As an Air Force wife, she enjoyed travelling and embraced the cultures and artwork of the places she visited with her husband and family, including the Philippines, Thailand, Spain, Belgium, and France. The family moved to Buda in 1984, and Kay has been an active member of the local community ever since. She was a member at St. John's Presbyterian Church.
Kay's nursing career also allowed Kay to help put her sons through college. Her vocation as a Registered Nurse took her to a wide variety of medical facilities filling key roles in the lives of those she served. These facilities and diverse locations included: Cleveland Metro Hospital: 1962-63 OR Nurse, 1964 ICU Nurse; Champion Hospital, Biloxi MS 64-65 OR; Altus AFB, OK, USAF Hospital; Hampton, VA - Volunteer -Red Cross Nursing,; Hampton VA, Peninsula Psychiatric Hospital, drug and alcohol dependence unit; Clark AFB, Philippines 1974 - Volunteer ICU; Tacoma, WA, 1984 Puget Sound Hospital-part-time psychiatric duty; 1983 Madigan Army Medical Center - step down unit; and Shoal Creek Hospital - PRN nursing Staff Austin, TX. Kay continued to keep her nursing license up-to-date should the need to care for others arise.
Kay enjoyed sewing and was a prolific quilt maker, she has produced countless beautiful works of art that are displayed in many homes throughout the community. She was active with the Onion Creek Senior Citizens Center and their quilt group. She participated in Buda Fest on multiple occasions.
She was an avid San Antonio Spurs fan, she often engaged in enthusiastic conversations about the state of the Spurs current season, over lunch at the Texican Cafe.
She loved caring for animals, taking in stray cats, watching deer in her back yard, and feeding the birds. She also enjoyed the company of her faithful companion Todo, often taking him on long road trips to visit family across the country or attend nursing reunions.
Kay is survived by her sons Scott McCrea of Greensboro, NC; David McCrea (wife Holly) of Buda, TX. She is also survived by her brother Gerry Jenkins and his wife Susie, and (their daughter/ her niece) Molly of Cleveland, OH. Also, left to cherish her memory are grandchildren: Alex, Ian, and Riley McCrea of Greensboro, NC and Thomas, Michael, Sarah and Nicholas Gianotti, of Buda, TX. She is also survived by her loving and faithful friend Todo, and his companion, Fish.
She is preceded in death by her husband Michael McCrea, and her parents Elmer and Ruth Jenkins.
A public visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., Saturday, April 10, 2021 at Harrell Funeral Home of Kyle, located at 1715 Kirby, 78640.
Following cremation, Kay will join Mike to be inurned with him at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio at a later date. In lieu of flowers, a donation to honor Kay's memory can be made to PAWs Animal Shelter in Kyle at pawsshelter.org. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to all of Kay's friends and neighbors who have cared for and supported Kay since the passing of her husband Mike in 2003.
"Thanksgiving 2015"
"Kay was such a nice person. I always enjoyed when we could visit. Thinking of you. Uncle Ed"
"We always loved when Aunt Kay came to PA to visit. Such a fun, kind, beautiful person. Thinking of you all. "
"Thinking of you all. Please tell Kay I said goodbye. Aunt Linda"
"Kay was an important member of the Mills family - friend, traveling partner, confidant and mentor. More sister than friend she loved, supported and cared for the whole family - but especially Zee, through thick and thin, joy and sorrow. Whether near or far away Kay was an irreplaceable presence in our lives. We will see her in flowers and fabric, hear her voice in doctors orders and her laughter in stories of misadventures and animal antics. Though we cannot be there with you today, Scott and David - know that you too will always be a part of our family. We love you - Ed, Zee, Trish"
"Kay was such a sweet lady. It was a pleasure knowing her, she was the biggest Spurs fan I ever met. She was always kind and sweet and always smiling. Sending my deepest condolences to her family and friends. May she RIP!! "
"Kay was one of my classmates at Cleveland Metro. General (Cuyahoga county0 School of Nursing, class of 1962. We have had many reunions over the years from all over the US. You can view some of the pictures on the on the tribute page. Always so caring and cheerful. I will miss her as will all of her fellow classmates. Rest in Peace Dear Kay rom Nancy and Dave Davis, Cary, NC "
"Since Kay and I had two sons, we were always talking about our boys. She had the warmest smile and always something nice to say to all of us. Will miss her. Sandra Grizzle"
"We have known Kay since 1988. I will miss seeing her walk her dog and meeting at mailbox or other times. She had a ready smile and we enjoyed our visits. She will be greatly missed. Sorry for your loss of a wonderful lady. God\'s comforting hand upon you. Your friends in Christ, The Wilber Family "
"Kay was a regular in our weekly yoga class taught by Ernie at OCSC for many years. I?ll miss her smile and warmth when we are able to meet again for class. We shared a love of sewing too. Her work was wonderful. I?ve been worried about her dog since I heard she?d died. It?s a comfort knowing family is probably taking care. I?m sure I?ll be remembering her special light for a long time and Know her family will be too. ?? Margaret Zander"