Barbara Elizabeth Kays

Barbara Elizabeth Kays, 65, of Los Angeles, Lake Charles, France and Mishawaka, passed away suddenly on September 16, 2016 in Chicago.
A vigil will be held on Wednesday, September 28th, from 6 PM to 9 PM, at the Wee Kirk o'the Heather Chapel at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, 1712 S. Glendale Ave. Glendale, CA 91205, with a rosary at 7 PM, followed by the sharing of memories.
A funeral mass will be celebrated on Thursday, September 29th at 10 AM, at Saint Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Church, 322 N. Avenue 61, Los Angeles, CA 90042.
Interment will follow at 3 PM on Friday, September 30th, at Forest Lawn.
Barbara Kays was born in Reno, Nevada to Geraldine and Robert Nelson on June 30, 1951. She went to high school at Benjamin Franklin High School in Los Angeles (Highland Park) and graduated in 1969. She married David Kays in 1974 and had three daughters. She worked at Lyons prior to having children and as a teacher at Saint Bernard Catholic School in Glassell Park for nine years. Barbara and David lived in Highland Park for twenty-four years. They then moved around the world, living in Lake Charles, Louisiana for five years, Biloxi, Mississippi for three years, Saudi Arabia for two years and France. She also lived in Lansing, Michigan and Washington, D.C. while caring for her new grandsons.
Barbara was a devout Catholic and active volunteer and served as a Girl Scout Leader and a catechism teacher on two continents. She loved reading and children and was much loved by those who benefited from her teaching in Scouts, catechism and everyday life. Her greatest joy was serving others and God.
She is survived by her husband: David Kays, of Mishawaka, Indiana; her sister: Martha Spear; her brothers: Dave, Jerry and Matt Nelson; her daughters: Monica Kays, Elizabeth Weigle and Katherine Walsh; and her grandchildren: Colette and Lucas Hugé, Dean Weigle and Benjamin Walsh.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to World Vision: http://donate.worldvision.org/giftregistry/view/index/id/57e3c6e20cc95/.
The family wishes to extend their gratitude to all family and friends for their support, love and prayers. Barbara Kays will be deeply missed by her family and friends around the world.