Kathryn M. Heydweiller

Kay McWilliams was born in Rochester NY, the daughter of Joseph and Eloine McWilliams. She spent happy childhood years in Gates NY. In 1955 the family moved to Carverdale Drive in Brighton, where she attended Middle and High School. After graduation she attended Wittenberg University where she earned a BA Degree in Elementary Education. She had a 16 year career as a fifth grade teacher in the Rochester City Schools, first at #12 School then at #35 School. During this period she met her husband George in a Christian young adult group. Their love grew, and they were married on June 20, 1981. Kay decided to take a one year sabbatical from teaching. They honeymooned in Alaska then created a very special home together in Avon NY. When it became known that their first child would arrive in 1982, Kay resigned from teaching to become a full time mother. She loved children as a teacher and even more as a mother and later as a grandmother. Learning, fun, sports, family travels, the cottage – she loved them all. And she loved our golden retrievers. Her husband and children will be forever grateful. When her children graduated from college and moved away, family occasions and visits were foremost on her mind. Until her final days time spent with her children and grandchildren brought her much happiness.

Kay was a quiet, modest and caring person. She had a good sense of humor and a very friendly manner. She had long time friends. She loved God and was a regular in worship at Asbury First United Methodist Church. After an increasingly debilitating struggle with dementia, On March 11, 2026 Kay passed on to a new home with God and Jesus. She is survived by her husband George, her daughter Mary(Chukwuma) Asala, her son Paul(Caitlin) Heydweiller, grandchildren Celeste, Skylar, Shayera, and Madeline, her twin sister Susan(Jim) Conner, and brothers Thomas(Lee) and Peter(Paula) McWilliams.

Friends are invited to a service of worship honoring Kay to be held at Asbury First United Methodist Church, 1040 East Avenue, Rochester NY on May 9 ,2026 at 3 pm. Live Stream may be available at asburyfirst.org.

Kay's family would like to express their deep appreciation to the nurses and aides at Livingston County Hospice and Teresa House for their loving care given in her time of greatest need. And we thank her dear and faithful friends who have brought love to her life over the years.

We thank the LORD our God for giving us Kay, for guiding her life, and for lifting her up to new life in God's glorious presence. Her experience now is beyond what we can imagine – love and sheer joy.