Kathleen “Kathy ” Way
October 15th, 1952 - July 23rd, 2025
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Kathy's Obituary
Kathleen “Kathy” Way, 72, of St. Joseph, MI passed away Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at Corewell Health Lakeland Hospital in St. Joseph.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, August 2, 2025 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Service, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, MI 49085. Friends may visit with the family from 10:00 A.M. until the time of service on Saturday. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or National Coalition for Homeless Veterans. Those wishing to share a memory of Kathy online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com
Kathy was born October 15, 1952, in Benton Harbor, MI to John & Kathryn (Carroll) Stancik Jr. She graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1970. She then attended Western Michigan University and Oakland University where she received her Bachelor of Arts and master's degree in education, respectively. On March 1, 1997, she married James “Jim” Way in Grand Ledge, MI. Kathy was an elementary school teacher for Grand Ledge Public Schools for many years. Kathy volunteered for the American Red Cross and helped with multiple national disaster responses. She also was a trained volunteer at hospitals in the (NICU) as a “Baby Cuddler”. Kathy loved cooking, reading, traveling, singing, socializing with friends and making the world smile.
Kathy is survived by her husband Jim Way; son Chris (Edith) Nowicki; daughter Kelly (James Shaw) Nowicki; stepsons Brian (Kate Stacey) Way, Jeff (Nikki) Way and MAJ Matt Way; 7 grandchildren; brother John (Kathie) Stancik III; and many nieces and nephews.
Kathy was preceded in death by her parents.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, August 2, 2025 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Service, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, MI 49085. Friends may visit with the family from 10:00 A.M. until the time of service on Saturday. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or National Coalition for Homeless Veterans. Those wishing to share a memory of Kathy online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com
Kathy was born October 15, 1952, in Benton Harbor, MI to John & Kathryn (Carroll) Stancik Jr. She graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1970. She then attended Western Michigan University and Oakland University where she received her Bachelor of Arts and master's degree in education, respectively. On March 1, 1997, she married James “Jim” Way in Grand Ledge, MI. Kathy was an elementary school teacher for Grand Ledge Public Schools for many years. Kathy volunteered for the American Red Cross and helped with multiple national disaster responses. She also was a trained volunteer at hospitals in the (NICU) as a “Baby Cuddler”. Kathy loved cooking, reading, traveling, singing, socializing with friends and making the world smile.
Kathy is survived by her husband Jim Way; son Chris (Edith) Nowicki; daughter Kelly (James Shaw) Nowicki; stepsons Brian (Kate Stacey) Way, Jeff (Nikki) Way and MAJ Matt Way; 7 grandchildren; brother John (Kathie) Stancik III; and many nieces and nephews.
Kathy was preceded in death by her parents.
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