SPRINGFIELD – Katherine “Kay” Theresa (Sears) Hession, 92, a longtime resident of Croyden Terrace and most recently of Glen Ellyn, Illinois, passed into Eternal Life at her daughter’s home on Thursday, January 29, 2015. She was surrounded by the care and comfort of her loving family. Kay was born in Springfield on February 7, 1922, a beloved daughter of the late Thomas J. and Mary M. (Devine) Sears. Kay was a graduate of Cathedral High School and completed business courses at Western New England College. Later in life, Kay passionately pursued the study of painting and drawing. She shared her love of art and learning as a teacher’s aide at Brightwood Elementary School in Springfield. Kay will be remembered for her beautiful voice, her love of music and her many years of volunteer work. She served as Choir Director at the former Our Lady of Hope Church for 30 years. She later joined Sacred Heart Parish and was an active member of the choir and Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. In retirement, Kay spent the winter months in Fort Myers, Florida. She restored and lovingly maintained the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe at Saint Columbkille Church in Fort Myers. She also served the parish community as a Minister of Care. She was a creative artist in many mediums. Kay’s paintings are treasured by family and friends. She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 50 years, John “Red” Hession. She leaves her three devoted children, Maureen Sheridan and her husband, Michael, and Catherine Hession Douglass and her husband, Kevin, all of Glen Ellyn, IL and Michael Hession and his wife, Susan, of West Simsbury, CT; her 11 cherished grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Brian and Ian Sheridan, Michael, Conor, Ryan, Kevin, Jr. and Liam Douglass, John Hession and his fiancée, Christina DeCormier, and Matthew and Michael Hession; her sister, Eileen LaCasse of Longmeadow; and her many nieces and nephews, neighbors and friends. Kay was predeceased by her brother, Reverend James Sears; and her sisters, Anna Dunn, Mary Kervick and Margaret Downey. Her funeral will be held on Saturday, February 7, 2015 beginning at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Springfield Chapels, (413-737-1177), 7 Chapin Terrace, Springfield, MA 01107, (funeral home will open at 8:30 a.m.), followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in Sacred Heart Church, 395 Chestnut Street, Springfield, MA 01104. Her burial will follow the Mass at Saint Michael Cemetery, 1601 State Street, Springfield, MA 01109. Her family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday, February 6, 2015 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Memorial donations may be made in her memory to the Sacred Heart Church Renovation Fund, 395 Chestnut Street, Springfield, MA 01104. For more details, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com