PLATTEVILLE - Kathleen Joan Cairy, 87, of Platteville, died on Thursday, November 5, 2009 at St. Clare Friedenschiem Assisted Living, Monroe. Kathleen was born on November 7, 1921, in Platteville, Wisconsin, daughter of Archibald "Archie" and Rose (Kopp) Bell. She was united in marriage to Scott Cairy Jr. in 1939 at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. He preceded her in death in 1992. She was a member of the Platteville United Methodist Church. She enjoyed collecting and refinishing antiques, and furniture. Kathleen was very creative and enjoyed decorating, quilting, writing poetry, studying history and playing piano by ear. She was a cub scout den mother and served on the PTA at the Doudna Lab School, Platteville. She enjoyed the college students over the years living in her neighborhood. She was very generous to family and people, and was a wonderful mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

Kathleen is survived by her seven children, Joan Faherty of Platteville, WI; Mark Cairy of Springfield, IL; Michael Cairy of Chugiak, AK; Lee (JoAnn) Cairy of Madison, WI; Kent Cairy of Freeport, IL; Kim (Mary Kay) Cairy of Monroe, WI; Joel (Katy) Cairy of Burnsville, MN; 17 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, daughter, Barbara Udelhofen, son, Scott Cairy III, sons-in-law, Tom Faherty, Larry Udelhofen, granddaughter, Kelly Udelhofen, great-grandson, Trenton Cooper, daughter-in-law, Laurie Cairy, twin sister, Kathryn Peacock, sisters, Beverly Scott, Bonnie Bell, Betty Kopp, Ruth Bell in infancy, brothers, Chester Bell and Max Bell in infancy.

Funeral services will be 2:30 p.m. Sunday, November 8, 2009 at the Melby-Bendorf Funeral Home & Crematory, Platteville. Pastor Mary Ann Floerke will officiate. Burial will be at Hillside Cemetery, Platteville. Friends may call from 12:30 p.m. until the time of the service on Sunday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to Monroe Clinic Hospice.