BREIG, Carolyn "Kay" (Eckert) - b. July 27, 1935 - d. March 21, 2017

[patyrn]

Carolyn Kay (Eckert) Breig, died peacefully surrounded by family at St. Luke Hospice House in Kansas City, Missouri at the age of 81.  Her strong faith released her soul in peace to the Lord.  She was born in Moline, Kansas on July 27, 1935 to Ione (Williams) and Albert Eckert.

Kay began her teaching career in 1955, continuing in Springfield, Missouri until she retired in 1991.  In 1983, she married Bill Breig, and they enjoyed traveling and spending time with the grandkids.  Kay continued to impact many people's lives through countless hours of volunteering with the Stevens Ministries.  She helped organize the Caring People ministry for unwed mothers in Springfield and was especially helpful with the annual SEAS Harvest Home Festival.  Kay loved music and loved to sing.  She volunteered with the Children's Choir along with singing in the church contemporary choir and sang in the Messiah project choir for many years.  She was a faithful  attendee of BSF (Bible Study Fellowship), played Bunko and bridge, and enjoyed lunches with her Disney Retired Teachers Group (DRTS).

In 2010, Kay developed heart disease and spent many days in hospitals in Barcelona and Dallas, Texas.  On April 25, 2011, she received an LVAD device from the amazing team at St. Luke's Heart Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri. She was determined to succeed with the transplant to have more time with her family.  She became an Ambassador for the LVAD helping make changes to the LVAD program, educating people on the device, and mentoring new patients.  The family would like to thank the incredible staff at St. Luke's Hospital, especially Amy and Karen with the LVAD team.

Kay is survived by her husband, William "Bill" Breig;  her daughters, Kelly (Vickers) Hardin and husband, Greg, and Jami (Vickers) Redfern and husband, David; her sister, Linda Nichols; her grandchildren, Maci Kay, Lilli, and Jack Flanigan and Josh Redfern; and her nephews, Wade (Karen) Nichols and Craig Nichols. 

A funeral mass was conducted on March 25, 2017 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seaton Church in Springfield, Missouri.  Memorial contributions may be made to St. Luke's Hospital Memorial Transplant Fund, 4225 Baltimore Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri 64111 or saintlukesgiving.org.  Online condolences, stories, or photos may be shared at www.hhlohmeyer.com.  Herman H. Lohmeyer Funeral Home of Springfield, Missouri was in charge of arrangements.

(taken from the Herman H. Lohmeyer Funeral Home website)