Kay D. Hornung

Kay D. Hornung, wife of (the late) Martin R. Hornung and mother to Steve and Dyan Hornung, passed away on July 12, 2024 at the age of 87.

Kay was born in New Castle, PA and received her undergraduate degree from Westminster College. Throughout her life, Kay was an enthusiastic and fearless chameleon, reinventing her life over and over, working first as a teacher, then a real estate agent, and a business owner several times over.

She was passionate about reading, gardening, chocolate ice cream, volunteerism, and finding meaning and amusement in everyday life. She taught her children to read before they could walk, instilling a lifelong love of learning, literary exploration, creativity and critical thinking. She also loved to walk, and up until just months before her passing, she was still walking two miles a day, no matter what the weather.

Although she possessed a passionate love for dogs, Kay was catlike in her ability to skirt and overcome unique health challenges. Borrowing from the feline playbook, Kay stretched her nine lives beyond what any sane person would have thought possible, battling both viral encephalitis and colon cancer and declaring victory over both. Through it all, she inspired those around her with a boundless ability to be positive and optimistic in the face of challenge.

It is impossible to quantify the life of anyone within the confines of such a small space. Suffice to say that her graceful, introverted spirit was filled with joy, laughter, creativity and passion—and she was loved by many for these qualities—along with her subtle ability to deliver a well-placed zinger when the moment called for it. She will be missed incredibly.

Kay is preceded in death by her husband of sixty years, along with her parents and older sister Donna. She will also reunite with an endless menagerie of adoring furry and finned family members, all of whom will joyously welcome her home.

As was her wish, no service is planned, but she will be buried at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, alongside her husband. Donations in her memory may be made to Angels for Animals, 4750 S. Range, Canfield, OH 44406 or at angelsforanimals.org.  Arrangements were entrusted to Pittsburgh Cremation & Funeral Care, 5405 Steubenville Pike, Robinson Twp., PA 15136.