Kathleen J. Priest

Your ladybug wings were ready but our hearts were not. Our little Ladybugger leaped into the arms of our Lord surrounded by her mother and father, Ryan & Cecelia Priest, and her three siblings, Bryce, Izaiah, and Ruthanne Priest, Thursday afternoon, October 18th, 2018.

Kay was diagnosed with a rare genetic disease called Metachromatic Leukodystrophy (MLD) April of 2017. Kay is now her brothers hero as both Bryce and Izaiah have undergone stem cell transplants to hopefully save them from the devastating effects of this terrible degenerative disease.

In her short seven years of life, Kay touched the lives of many wherever she went and taught us all to live fully and always in the moment. Kay had an incredibly infections smile that could light up any room she was present and even on some of her worst days could muster a smile. Kay taught us she was not her diagnosis and never let the limitations her body set keep her from loving every single second of her life.

A celebration of Kathleen’s life will be held in Maine in the spring. Our family ask in lieu of flowers or gifts, a donation be made in Kay’s memory to the Duke Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplant Program, 1400 Morreene Road, Durham, NC 27705. Kay always wanted to be a doctor and your donation will give hope to families facing this same fate.

Fly high sweet girl and always dance among the ladybugs. Forever in our hearts you will be. #SmileLikeKay

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