Sylvia Kay Malish

Sylvia Kay (Day) Malish’s life mission of loving, caring and giving was known by all. We continue to celebrate her and her mission after her passing on June 14, 2024, at the age of 86.

Kay, as she was known by her friends, was born in Waco, Texas on February 16, 1938, to Roy and Darene Allison Day. She was raised around central and west Texas and graduated from Seymour High School in 1956. In her senior year, Kay was a cheerleader along with her sister, Claudia. Even though her father had to move to Taylor, Texas for work, Kay remained in Seymour her senior year as she was Valedictorian of her class. With this distinction she received a scholarship to attend The University of Texas at Austin.

After attending UT Austin for a short time, Kay moved to Taylor where she worked at Mars Men’s Store and, as fate had it, met a customer who became the love of her life. She married Eugene A. Malish of Taylor, Texas in 1957. Together, Kay and Gene enjoyed life’s simple pleasures like spending time with friends on Lake Austin, visiting family, being a faithful part of their church communities, and driving to see bucket list wonders across the U.S. They were married for 49 years before his passing in 2006.

Within several years of marriage, Gene and Kay had been blessed with three children and raised Eddie, Bobby and Marsha in the Brentwood area of central Austin. This residence became a forever home filled with beautiful lifelong memories. The backyard started out as a kids’ playscape with a sandbox and eventual life-size dollhouse, but as the kids grew up and out, it evolved into a lush oasis. Here, Kay would enjoy watching and feeding birds, squirrels and family pets chasing them. Her kindheartedness for all of God’s creatures was most evident in this setting. She had a lifetime compassion for rescuing wayward animals, including what seemed like every neighborhood stray cat and most recently Bubba and LaLa, Ragdoll cats that she adopted after the Hurricane Harvey floods in Houston.

Kay was an Officer of the Brentwood PTA, secretarial assistant at her churches and several local businesses and ultimately went to work in state government in Austin at the Texas Department of State Health Services, the state legislature serving as the committee coordinator for the Senate Administration Committee and culminating her career as a Legislative Assistant to Lieutenant Governor Bill Ratliff during the 77th session of the Texas Legislature in 2001. Her good nature, quick wit and exceptional communication skills gave her the ability to make the most of her love of working with and helping people accomplish their professional and personal goals. In the Lt. Governor’s office, she worked with Presidents, astronauts, lawmakers, celebrities and citizens alike, all in their efforts of making the State of Texas a better place to live.

Another equally important component of Kay’s life in addition to her commitment to family, friends and work was her faith. Always with a Christian heart, Kay was deeply religious, and her faith was central to everything she did. She and Gene regularly attended St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church and later Glad Tidings Church - Central Austin. In recent years she was a member of First Presbyterian Church and most recently she became a member of the Northwest Hills United Methodist Church in Austin. She was active in many church organizations during her life. She loved her Sunday night and Tuesday night Bible Study Groups consisting of her near and dear lady friends who met weekly for friendship and fellowship at their homes and favorite local restaurants. The shared faith and love created by those friendships brought great joy and brought great comfort during life’s celebrations and sorrows. Some of Kay’s last memories are of meals and visits shared at her home with many amazingly generous and caring friends.

Special family gratitude to Kay’s daughter-in-law, Barbara Malish, for her dedication as Kay’s caregiver and personal assistant. Barbara’s care and attentiveness helped Kay maintain her independence, emotional outlook and life experiences in recent years. Kay was so grateful for Barbara’s friendship and devotion.

Additionally, the family would like to thank Tom Wheeler, who was such a great friend and helpful neighbor, always checking on Kay, doing household maintenance and just being a good listener.

Kay is survived by her three married children, Eddie and Barbara (Anz) Malish, Robert and Marsha (Malish) Jones, all of Austin and Bobby and Michelle (Washer) Malish of Coppell, Texas. She is also survived by her sister, Claudia Burgoon of Jarrell, Texas. She also greatly loved and doted over her three grandchildren and their significant others: Mark Malish (with JD Dauber), Emily Malish (Cody Jones, fiancé) and Jacqueline Malish (with Morgan Bromley). She also loved and cherished the nieces, nephews and cousins within her extended family. Her voice of comfort, caring and love and compassionate heart will be greatly missed.

Visitation will be on Friday, 6/21/24 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. CT at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin, TX 78752.

Graveside service will be on Saturday, 6/22/24 at 11 a.m. CT at the City of Taylor Cemetery, 1101 E. 4th Street, Taylor, TX. 76574.

Celebration of Life and Memorial Service will also be on Saturday, 6/22/24 at 2:30 p.m. CT at Northwest Hills United Methodist Church, 7050 Village Center Dr., Austin, TX. 78731.

In Kay’s honor do a good deed for your neighbor and love one another. If so moved, memorial donations to one of Kay’s favorite charities can be made at:

Austin Smiles: https://austinsmiles.org/

Mobile Loaves & Fishes: https://mlf.org/

Hill Country Youth Ranch: https://youth-ranch.org/