Theresa Ann (Kiehn) McKay of Spokane, WA, passed away at her home October 16, 2017, surrounded by her husband, children, grand children, many relatives and dear friends.

A celebration of her life will be held at St. Patrick’s church at 10AM, Saturday, October 28th. The church is located at 5021 N. Nelson (located at the corner of Queen and Nelson in Hillyard). Interment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery at noon with a reception to follow.

Theresa was born in Oakland, California to Henry and Bertha (Massoz) Kiehn, and was the 6th of 9 children in the family. When she was 5, the family moved from California to Spokane. Theresa was accompanied by 3 of her 5 older sisters. The family moved into a home in Hillyard, where she attended grade school at St. Patrick’s. After grade school graduation (8th grade), she went to Marycliff High, but then graduated from John R. Rogers High school in 1954. Theresa was very active in choirs and singing contests throughout high school, had a lovely alto voice and sang on local radio shows. Throughout her life, she loved music, and she knew the words to almost any song you could name.

In the Summer of 1951, Theresa met the love of her life and future husband, Gene McKay. They were married December 23, 1954 at St. Patrick’s church. Together Theresa and Gene had 5 children and spent 62 years together, in a wonderful relationship. The family was close,  and all 4 children live in the Spokane area within 10 miles from the homestead.

Theresa is survived by her (2) daughters: Theresa L. McKay (Dolla), and Lisa Rose McKay-Sweeney, and (2) sons: Gene T. McKay (Bud), and Shawn M. McKay; her sisters: Lorraine LaBrecque (Spokane), Rose Evans (Baltimore, MD) and Florence Wright (Bloomington, MN); brothers, Albert Kiehn (Joe) of Spokane, Tom Kiehn (Sacramento, CA), (11) grandchildren, and numerous great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a child, John Francis (Jack) McKay, her parents, Bertha and Henry Kiehn and older sisters, Mary Louise McDonald, Helen Farnham, and Marie Krogh.

Our dear Theresa was always an industrious “go-getter” and at a young age, she established a pop bottle collection route, had a kool-aid stand in the summer, and made flower jewelry pins out of plaster of paris that she sold throughout her neighborhood. Theresa loved growing and arranging flowers all of her life.

Christmas was Theresa’s favorite time of year. As a child, she saw to it that the Christmas Tree was up long before Christmas.

Later in life, Theresa went back to school, graduating with an AA degree from Spokane Community College, specializing in floral design and hotel-motel management.

Theresa loved to travel, and with her family made it all around the United States, Canada, Mexico, Hawaii and Europe. In conjunction with her husband’s old car clubs (Gem State Chapter Hudson Club and Hassie Club), she also traveled extensively throughout the Northwest.

Theresa, was loved by her family and friends and most who knew her. She had the kindest of hearts and was always supportive and generous. She thought of others first, and bravely faced obstacles and even illnesses. She will be so missed by everyone and we will hold her near in our heart always.

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