Kay Natalie Horgan

Mimi, as she was affectionately known by her family, was born on January 25, 1939, in Charles City, Iowa to the late Myrtle and Clifford Knowlton. She was a 1957 graduate of Immaculate Conception High School in Charles City.

After completing High School, Kay enlisted in the US Army where she met her future husband of 60 years Gerald Francis Horgan, whom she married on February 7, 1959. She was honorably discharged from the Army in 1961 after which she attended Sam Houston State University and earned two M. E.d Degrees in Education. The pinnacle of her 25-year career in the Aldine Independent School District was serving as the Principal of the Ellen B. Lane Center, a special education school for children in Aldine, Texas, where she positively impacted many young lives. Outside of work, Kay pursued her passion for helping youth through her membership in Kiwanis International.

After retiring from education in 1995, Kay worked for over a decade as an associate in the designer handbag department at Foley’s and then Macy’s where she took pride in routinely being recognized as the top salesperson in that department. She took full advantage of her employee discount at these stores to spoil her children and grandchildren with a bounty of clothes, footwear, and home accessories. Christmas was Mimi’s favorite time of year, and her family will always cherish their many fond memories of spending the Holidays at the Horgan residence in Kingwood, Texas. With the help of a small army of indentured servants, Mimi ensured every room in her home had its own Christmas Tree decorated in a particular theme.

For the past year and a half, Mimi has called Maravilla at the Domain in Austin, Texas, her home. She loved the staff at Maravilla and Mimi’s family is forever grateful to them for the daily kindnesses and special attention they showed Mimi during her stay there. The family also wishes to thank Magnolia Hospice, Suncrest Hospice, North Austin Medical Center, Halcyon Home, and Dr. Shawn Chen for the excellent care they provided Kay as her health recently declined.

In addition to her mother and father, Kay was preceded in death by her husband, Gerald, her sister, Manan Rowe and brother-in-law, Jack Rolph.

She is survived by her brother Mike Knowlton (Madeline) and her sister, Michele Rolph, both of Charles City. Kay is also survived by two daughters: Michele Hackett (Jim) of St. Marys, PA and Patricia Hajdik of Austin, TX; three grandchildren: Kelly Mercado (Richard) of Laguna Hills, California, Jimmy Hackett (Sarah) of Washington, DC, and Patrick Hackett (Sadie) of Cleveland, Ohio; and two great-grandsons: Vincent and Pierce Mercado.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St. Albert the Great Catholic Church, 12041 Bittern Hollow in Austin, TX on Friday, October 21, 2022, at 10:00 AM. A Visitation will be held at the Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 Lamar Blvd. in Austin on Thursday, October 20 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Rosary at 7PM. Kay will be given a burial with military honors at the Southern Arizona Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery and laid to rest there with Gerald.

Memorials, if desired, may be made to the Special Olympics Foundation, Magnolia Hospice, and Suncrest Hospice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.cookwaldenfuneralhome.com for the Horgan family.