Mary Kay Whitfield, age 63, of Quincy, died on May 26, 2017 in her home. Kay was born on June 16, 1953 in Quincy, IL, a daughter of James T. and Polly (Sander) Whitfield.

Kay graduated from Quincy High School in 1971 and from Drake University in 1976. After graduating from Drake University, Kay became involved in politics in the state of Iowa which led her to Washington, D.C., where she worked for the Democratic party and the Jimmy Carter Presidential administration in the late 1970s. From Washington, D.C., Kay moved to southwest Virginia where she lived for over twenty years before moving back to Quincy to become a freelance journalist and writer.
Kay enjoyed cooking, reading, and gardening. She appreciated music and liked to attend a variety of live concerts and musicals, and she was a fan of the St. Louis Cardinals.
She was a lifetime member of Salem Evangelical United Church of Christ.
Our sister, Kay, loved her family and enjoyed spending time with them. Her nephews meant the world to her. She was witty and funny, and she always managed to make us laugh. She was a loving sister, aunt and friend, who had a beautiful, bright smile that we will always remember.
Survivors include a brother, Jim Whitfield and his wife Jodi of Quincy and a sister, Janet Griffard and her husband Steve of St. Louis. She is also survived by five nephews, Stephen C. Griffard, Neal P. Griffard, Devin J. Bradney, Sander J. B. Whitfield and Barrett M. Whitfield.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Funeral services will be held Friday, June 2, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. in the Duker and Haugh Funeral Home. Interment will be in Greenmount Cemetery at a later date. Visitation will be held Thursday from 4:00 until 7:00 in the Duker & Haugh Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Horizon’s Food Pantry and Soup Kitchen or to the Charity of the Donor’s Choice.