Rosalie Kay Heiney

Rosalie Kay (McKee) Heiney, 84, passed away peacefully at her home in Ottawa Lake, Michigan on August 5, 2023, surrounded by her loving family. Kay was born in Dunkirk, Ohio to Ralph and Miriam (Swanger) McKee.

She married William D. Heiney on June 28, 1958, in Holland, Ohio. Kay began her lifelong career as a teacher after she graduated from the University of Toledo with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education in 1968. Shortly after, she started teaching elementary students at Whiteford Agricultural Schools in Ottawa Lake, Michigan where she taught for 28 years before retiring in 1997. She cherished educating children, especially in Presidential and American History. Kay also enjoyed traveling with the fifth-grade class to YMCA Storer Camp for many years.

Even after formal retirement, she continued teaching and educating friends and family. Her everlasting love for reading books was passed onto the many generations of children that she inspired. In her free time, Kay enjoyed making candy and baking pies and cookies for the holidays. She dearly loved spending time with her family, and her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were her pride and joy.

Kay had a deep passion and love for animals and birds. She was a strong supporter and advocate for various canine and animal charities. As of late, the Derby Fund at Whiteford Agricultural Schools was amongst her favorites since her great-granddaughter started attending school at Whiteford a few years ago. Derby, a Labrador Retriever, is an emotional support dog that helps children at school during difficult times.

Kay is survived by her daughters, Cindy (Jamie) LaRocca, and Sherri (Chris) Frederick of Ottawa Lake, Michigan; grandchildren, Vincent (Christina) LaRocca, Anthony (Lyndsey) LaRocca, Keith (Juliet Karam) Frederick, and Breanna (Jon Grill) Frederick; great-grandchildren, Gia, Giovanni, Lincoln, and Liberty LaRocca; brothers, Mac (Annette) McKee of Anchorage, Alaska, and Rex (Georgia) McKee of Waterville, Ohio; brother-in-law Edgar Gibson of Waterville, Ohio. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and sister, Rita Gibson.

To reflect Kay’s never-ending love and generosity, in lieu of attending a memorial service, her family requests you to perform a random act of kindness. It has been wished to send donations to Kay’s recent favorite charity, the Derby Fund or Whiteford Schools in Ottawa Lake, Michigan, to support their emotional support dog program, or to your local school of choice to further promote education.

Private services were entrusted to Reeb Funeral Home in Sylvania, Ohio with entombment at Highland Memory Gardens in Waterville, Ohio. Online condolences at www.reebfuneralhome.com.

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