Kathryn "Kay" Harris

Kathryn Kay (Kleifgen) Harris passed from this world on Friday October 28^th, 2022. Born in Indianapolis on December 16^th, 1941. “Kay” was the first daughter of four to James and Helen Kleifgen of Indianapolis. She attended St. Frances de Sales and St. Bernadette Schools and graduated from Scecina Memorial High School in 1960. Summers were spent at her grandparents’ farm in Bloomington and then in the Irvington area, where the “house on Drexel” was the most welcoming of hangouts for the Scecina crowd and extended family gatherings.

Kay was outspoken about her certainty that college was not for her, and she worked for a time at Murphy’s at the new Eastgate Mall at and then as an Elevator Operator at Block’s Department Store in downtown Indianapolis, where she met her future husband, Bankie James Harris. They wed in 1961 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, with a reception at the Miramar Club on Indianapolis’ east side. Kay became a mother in November of 1963 with the birth of Mary Katherine (McDonald). Five more children followed: Laura Elizabeth “Betsey” (Chamberlin), James Kleifgen Logan, John Isaac, Carolyn Eve (Harris-Deloach), and Karl Adam Joseph.

Over the years, the family lived in Sturgis, Michigan, Chattanooga, Tennessee, Savannah, Georgia, and finally back home in Indianapolis. Kay, eventually as a single mother, devoted her years to supporting her children in their varied pursuits: Little League Baseball at Community and Irvington, Choir, Dance lessons, guitar lessons, shuttling to and from practices and work schedules, throwing birthday and graduation partis and eventually celebrating weddings with their children. She worked for several years at Sizzler Steak house on Indy’s east side, and then at Ponderosa in Greenfield. Next, Kay worked several years as a stellar employee in housekeeping at Community Hospital East. Uncompromising when it came to the quality of her work, Kay took pride in ensuring patients had a clean, peaceful environment within which to recover and heal, and she was beloved by doctors and fellow hospital employees.

Kay’s family was always her number one priority, growing to eventually include nine grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. She traveled with her children and family over the years as well, to Virginia, Florida, California, Texas, and most remarkably on an extended road trip with her Aunt Carolyn Kleifgen and cousin Amy Golden to see the Kleifgen Family acreage in Montana. She remarked, “I really did see the buffalo roam and the antelope play!” Kay appreciated every moment of those trips and demanded nothing, willingly going along with a flexibility and enthusiasm that made her the best of traveling companions.

Eventually, declining health mandated Kay leave housekeeping, and she struggled with the loss of a role that gave her such pride. She threw her heart and soul in to supporting her ever-expanding circle of family and friends with her signature wry sense of humor and witty observations, keeping folks on their toes as the years flew by.  When asked how she was doing, Kay would often respond: “As I damn well please”, evoking chuckles from those who knew her. She had a heart for people who, like her, “marched to the beat of a different drum”. She would often quote Kermit the Frog, lamenting “It’s not easy being green”. She was never boring, never predictable, and never unwilling to help people who needed to feel welcome and safe. She had an open-door policy in the tradition her parents established and will be indescribably missed by those who relied on her listening ear, wise and quirky responses, and welcoming heart.

Kay’s Celebration of an Incredible Life will take place at Washington Park East (10722 E. Washington St, Indianapolis) on Friday Evening, November 4^th, 2022, with a rosary service beginning at 4:30pm, visitation from 5pm-7pm and memorial service beginning at 7pm.