Kay Catherine (Connor) Religa passed away on September 9, 2026, at the age of 86.

Kay was born to Charles “Charlie” and Mathilda “Mattie” Connor in Hays, Kansas, on December 9, 1939. She was one of seven children and grew up on the family farm northwest of WaKeeney, Kansas.

She graduated from Trego County Community High School in 1957 and went on to receive a business degree from Brown Mackie Business School in Salina, Kansas. While attending college, she met her future husband, Joseph “Joe” Religa, at a dance while he was stationed at Schilling Air Force Base in Salina. They were married on February 7, 1959, at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Salina and moved to Brookville in 1960.

Kay worked for the Ell-Saline School District for many years, serving as the high school secretary from 1978-1994. She was also a member of the election board and served as city clerk for many years.

Her faith and service to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church were an important part of her life. She served the church in many capacities and found great joy in being involved in her church community.

Kay loved spending time fishing with her family and had a knack for catching the most—and often the biggest—fish. She also had a special love for flowers, especially irises. Her iris flower beds were filled with many heritage varieties that reflected her appreciation for beauty and gardening.

Kay will be remembered for her devotion to her family, her faith, her community, and the many people whose lives she touched throughout the years.

Kay was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph “Joe” Religa; her parents, Charles and Mathilda Connor; brothers, Joseph “Larry” Connor and James Connor; sisters, Patricia Connor and Gladys Connor, and daughter-in-law Ann (Mark) Religa. She is survived by her sister, Lorrie Blackwill of WaKeeney, Kansas, and her twin sister, Karen Vail of Salina, Kansas.

She leaves behind her daughter, Julie (Chip) Lushbough of Blue Springs, Missouri; her son, Mark (Ann) Religa of Goessel, Kansas; and her son, Kevin Religa of Manhattan, Kansas.

Kay is also survived by her grandchildren: Bryan (Abbey) Lushbough of Los Angeles, California; Brandon Religa of Atlanta, Georgia; Mattie (Chris) Lushbough of Independence, Missouri; Hannah (AJ) Religa of Leawood, Kansas; and Lane Religa of Fayetteville, Arkansas.

The family would like to extend a special and heartfelt thank you to the staff at Salina Regional Medical Center Cardiac Rehabilitation, as well as the Blue Springs PD and CJC Engine 5/Medical 5, for the compassionate care, kindness, and support they provided to Kay and her family.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 9:00 am Saturday, September 19, 2026, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Brookville. Burial will be in the Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Brookville. Vigil service and rosary will be held at 6:30 pm on Friday, September 18, at Ryan Mortuary, 137 North Eighth, Salina. The family will receive friends from 5 until 6:30 Vigil, and friends may call from 4 until 8 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Brookville Community Foundation, PO Box 91, Brookville, Kansas 67425.

Everyone attending is invited to a luncheon at the Brookville Methodist Church immediately following the burial.