Kerry Elizabeth Labay, aged 46, of Norton, Ohio, passed away unexpectedly on September 14, 2024, in Akron, Ohio. Born on October 12, 1977, in Akron to John "Pat" Labay and the late Patricia Jane Labay, Kerry was a vibrant soul whose life was marked by her talents, passions, and deep love for animals.

Kerry graduated from Springfield High School and Stark State College, where her academic achievements laid the foundation for a career that would see her contribute significantly to NASA over six years. Known for her meticulous attention to detail, her name graces several NASA publications, a testament to her professional excellence.

Growing up, Kerry was an outstanding fastpitch softball player, showcasing her athletic talent on various travel teams. Her artistic flair was evident in her creation of graphics and presentations for election campaigns and websites, reflecting her diverse talents.

Her love for animals, particularly cats, was profound. Kerry cherished her pets, Monkey Woman, Gabe (who was blind), and his companion, Rusty, who acted as Gabe's seeing-eye cat. When she could no longer care for pets herself, she channeled her passion online, volunteering as "kelgarumo" for the TinyKittens Society in Fort Langley, British Columbia, Canada. There, she moderated livestreamed videos, becoming a beloved figure among the community for her compassion and dedication.

Kerry was preceded in death by her mother, Patricia Jane Labay, her grandparents John and Ruth Labay, Merit and Evelyn Heater, and her aunt Teresa Firth. She is survived by her father, John "Pat" Labay, her brother Jason Labay, and her aunts and uncles: Michael (Debra) Labay, Susie (the late Gary) Quintrell, Polly (Roger) Evans, Ruthie (Robert) Harris, and Janet (Michael) Miller.

Kerry's unexpected departure has left a void in the hearts of many. Her love, compassion, and contributions to both human and animal communities will be deeply missed but never forgotten.

Calling Hours will be held from 4pm-7pm on Thursday, September 19th, 2024, at Dunn-Quigley Funeral Homes, 811 Grant St, Akron, OH 44311.

The Funeral Service will take place at 10:30am on Friday, September 20th, 2024, also at Dunn-Quigley Funeral Homes, followed by a Funeral Procession to Hillside Memorial Park, 1025 Canton Rd, Akron, OH 44312, for burial.

The family suggests donations to Kerry's passion: TinyKittens Society at https://tinykittens.com/donate in Kerry's memory, honoring her love for animals and her spirit of volunteerism.

May Kerry find eternal peace, surrounded by the love she so generously shared with the world.