Kay Hornung caring for some of Ocracoke’s community cats. Photo courtesy of the family.

Kathleen (Kay) Hornung, 85, of Ocracoke, died Feb. 22 at home.

She was the wife of Robert (Bob) Hornung.

Born Feb. 15, 1937, in Nyack, New York, she was a daughter of Mason Luther and Myrtle Dunn.

Kay Hornung’s high school graduation photo.

Kay met Robert in 1955 and they married Nov. 2, 1958. Kay worked as a telephone operator in Rockland County, New York before moving to Monroe, New York, to raise her family.

Kay and Bob discovered Ocracoke Island in the summer of 1972 and purchased land there shortly after.

After building their home, the couple moved to Ocracoke permanently in 1983.

Kay worked as a house cleaner for many years and was an active member of Ocracats Inc., which cares for the island community cats.   

She is preceded in death by her brother Mason Luther.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by children Nora Blythe (Wilmington, Del.), Robert Hornung (Hubert, N.C.) and Daniel Hornung (Creedmoor, N.C.); also, a brother Luke and a sister Audrey, and nine grandchildren.

To honor Kay’s love of cats, donations may be sent to Ocracats, P.O. Box 993, Ocracoke, NC 27960.  Donations may also be sent in Kay’s memory to the Ocracoke Life Saving Church, P.O. Box 68, Ocracoke, NC 27960.

Twiford Funeral Homes, Outer Banks, is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences and memories may be shared at http://www.TwifordFH.com.

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