On Monday, April 12, 2021, Alice Kay Slagal, loving mother, grandmother, sister and friend, passed away at the age of 79.
Kay was born on February 12, 1942 in Peru, Indiana to Gerald and Mary (Fox) Hayes. She attended Somerset school, married Benny G. Crowe and had two children, Jerry Gayle Crowe and Mary Katherine (Crowe) Carroll. She raised her children in and around Wabash, Indiana, working for 30 years for General Tire, and then as a truck driver with her second husband, Donald Slagal, once her children were grown.
Kay had a passion for interior design and decorating. Friends and family marveled at her ever-changing decor and talent for finding just the right pieces to complete her vision. She loved to go “junking” to discover new treasures. Kay was also known for her hospitality and wonderful cooking, including her famous egg noodles. As an avid reader, she could devour a book a day and always kept up on current events.
Everyone who knew Kay loved her. She was a champion of the underdog, and had a knack for knowing just what you needed – whether it was offering sage advice, fixing a cup of coffee or a hot plate, or quietly attending to what needed to be done – she was always there for those in need. She will be remembered by friends, family and neighbors for her quick wit, ready laugh, and kind and compassionate spirit. As one neighbor put it, “They don’t make them like her anymore.”
Kay was proceeded in death by her parents, as well as her husband Don. She is survived by her children, Jerry and Kathie, her sister, Carla (Hayes) Gaines, brothers, Danny Hayes, Buddy Hayes and Jerry Hayes; granddaughters Gina (Crowe) Cooper and Andrea Carroll-Gerstlé, and several great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, 1241 Manchester Avenue, Wabash.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in her name to The Cancer Research Institute (cancerresearch.org) or Feeding America
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