Did we ever tell you you’re our hero? You’re everything we wish we could be. Kay, aka Nana, was the epitome of selfless, unconditional love. She was beautiful, inside and out, and was always there for her family and friends. If she couldn’t help directly, her rosary and prayers were not far behind. Kay Frances Dayton, age 87, died on September 11, 2026, in McKinney, Texas. She was born in Appleton, Wisconsin, on November 2, 1938, the daughter of the late Thomas J. and Ione A. (Hilgenberg) Mislinski. A graduate of Holy Cross Grade School with the class of 1952 and the Kaukauna High School class of 1956 where she was senior class president. Kay attended Marquette University in Milwaukee and the University of Texas-Austin. She married John E. Dayton, Jr. on September 2, 1957 in Kaukauna, Wisconsin.
Kay lived in Beaumont, Texas for most of her life where she was employed by Procter & Gamble Co., Liggett Group, Inc. and then ProtoCall, Inc. for several years as a Sales Representative.
Kay taught CCD class at St Pius Catholic Church in Beaumont and did volunteer work with the Beaumont West End Little League Association. She served as Vice President of Monsignor Kelly High School Home and Resource Center and Chairwoman of their Chaperon Committee. She is a life time member of the University of Texas Exes, Austin, Texas.
Kay was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Janis Johnson and brother-in-law Major Frank G. Johnson, In-laws Lt. Col. John E. Dayton Sr. and Marie Dayton, and sister-in-law Susan Dayton.
She is survived by her husband John E. Dayton, Jr. of McKinney, Texas and four Children. Daughter Paige (Michael) Tillman of Plano, Texas, Sons Thomas J. (Krista) Dayton of Houston, Texas, Douglas P. (Gwen) Dayton of Highland Village, Texas and Alan C. (Denise) Dayton of Wylie, Texas. Brother-in-law Robert A. (Sheila) Dayton of Macon, Georgia. Also, survived by 15 grandchildren: Dominic, Isabella, Salvatore, Anthony, Nicholas, Zeke, Zane, Zachary, Madison, Broderick, Kristin, Joe, John, Jazmin and Melody and three great grandchild Isaiah, Avery and Olivia.
Funeral Mass services will be held at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in McKinney, Texas and at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Kaukauna, Wisconsin with burial in Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Kaukauna, Wisconsin. The family will receive friends during a visitation on at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home in Allen, Texas and Holy Cross Church in Kaukauna, Wisconsin.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice.