Catherine M. "Kay" Wilce, 87, of Carbondale, PA, died Monday morning, December 18, 2023 after an extended illness. She was preceded in death by her husband, Francis Wilce on December 31, 1991.

Born May 31, 1936 in Carbondale, PA, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Mary Bevacqua Mesiti.

Kay was a graduate of the Benjamin Franklin High School, Carbondale, where she was a majorette. She had been employed as a sewing machine operator in the local garment industry. Many people will fondly remember Kay as the person who greeted them from the take-out window at the Drive N Buy in Carbondale. She truly loved working there as she was able to touch so many lives.

Kay was a member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Carbondale, and a former member of the Carbondale Chapter of UNICO. Her home was always a place anyone was welcome for a bite to eat, a cup of coffee or some good conversation. Kay especially enjoyed sitting on her front porch and was a big supporter of President Donald Trump. Her prides and joy in life were her grandchildren and her world revolved around them.

Special thanks are extended to Home Health Care Professionals and family friend, Donna Borosky for their kind and compassionate care provided to Kay in her home, as well as Dr. Tamrat Bekele, Theresa Micknick, and staff for their many years of dedicated care. Kay's children are extremely grateful to their family and friends for all of their support during their mom's illness. They are so appreciative of all the visits and love shown to Kay in her final months.

She is survived by three children: Francis Wilce of Carbondale, PA, Renford Wilce and wife, Missy of Pleasant Mount, PA, and Cindy Kolar and husband, George of Carbondale, PA; four grandchildren: Brick Wilce and wife, Brittany, Cody Kilhullen and fiancée, Courtney, Joseph Kilhullen and wife, Kaitlyn, and Kara Kilhullen; and several nieces and nephews.

She was also preceded in death by a grandson: Brandon Wilce; and two brothers: Joseph and Charles Mesiti.

The funeral was held Saturday, December 23, 2023 from the Carmine J. & Louis C. Parise Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 89 Farview Street, Carbondale, PA, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 15 Fallbrook Street, Carbondale, PA, celebrated by Rev. Joseph Mosley, senior priest. Interment, Our Mother of Sorrows Cemetery, Greenfield Township, PA.

Pallbearers: Francis Wilce, Renford Wilce, Brick Wilce, Cody Kilhullen, Joseph Kilhullen and George Kolar.

Viewing hours were held Friday, December 22, 2023 from 4-7 p.m.