Kathleen Lenore Field

Kathleen Lenore “Kay” (Shahan) Field, of LaBelle, Missouri, formerly of Hurdland, passed away Sunday morning, March 8, 2026, at LaBelle Manor.

She is survived by her sisters, Mary Jane Brue and Alice Grondin; her brothers, Bill Shahan and Tim Shahan; and many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her stepchildren: Don “Little Don” Evan Field, who has two children, Michael and Marlene; and Robin (Field) Turner and her husband Rob, who have one daughter, Heather.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Earl Field; sisters Helen Piltz and LeeAnna Stokes; brothers Joe and Jim Shahan; and stepson Donald Field.

Kay was born December 3, 1930, in Brashear, Missouri, to Robert E. and Mildred H. (Lockett) Shahan. She grew up in Brashear and in 1946, when she was a junior in high school, her family moved to a farm one mile west of Hurdland, Missouri. Down the hill from the farm were double tracks used by the Santa Fe Railroad and Burlington Northern, which later combined into BNSF. Trains traveled both directions at about 80 miles per hour, carrying cargo and passenger cars to cities across the United States. The railroad tracks were very busy and became a familiar part of daily life.

Kay attended Brashear Grade School and graduated as Valedictorian of Hurdland High School in 1948. She continued her education at Truman State University, then known as Kirksville State Teachers College, where she studied elementary education. From 1948 to 1950, Kay taught first through eighth grades at Bishop County School #59 in Knox County, Missouri.

Nursing soon became Kay’s next goal. She attended the Missouri Methodist Hospital School of Nursing, earning her diploma as a Registered Nurse from 1950 to 1953. She continued her studies at the University of Missouri, receiving her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1957, and later earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Washington University in 1959. She also completed coursework toward a PhD at Georgia State University in Atlanta. Although she completed the classes, she did not submit a final thesis.

Kay devoted her career to nursing education. She served as an Instructor at Missouri Methodist Hospital School of Nursing from 1953 to 1956, and later as an Instructor at Lutheran Hospital School of Nursing from 1959 to 1961. From 1961 to 1969 she was an Assistant Professor at St. Louis University. In 1969 she joined Emory University in Atlanta, where she served as an Associate Professor until her retirement in 1987.

Kay met her future husband, Donald Earl Field, at St. John Methodist Church in St. Louis, Missouri. The two became acquainted through adult Sunday School classes and their shared involvement in serving those in need through their church. Kay and Donald were married on September 1, 1961, and lived in St. Louis until 1969, when they moved to Stone Mountain, Georgia.

Kay and Don enjoyed spending time together camping and dancing. Kay even took dance classes through Arthur Murray because Don belonged to a dance group and often served as his mother’s dance partner. Don also enjoyed hunting and fishing. Kay and Don had no children of their own, but they shared a close bond with Don’s children and grandchildren.

Following their retirement in 1987, Kay and Don moved back to rural Brashear, Missouri, where they lived for six years before moving into Hurdland. In 1990 Kay opened a craft shop in Hurdland called Patchwork Too Crafts. Her favorite hobbies included quilting, needlework, and reading.

Kay also became involved in local government and served as Mayor of Hurdland, Missouri from 1998 to 2002, a role she often said was a challenging one. Her beloved husband, Don Field, preceded her in death on June 23, 1997.

Kay remained active in her community and church throughout her life. She was a member of Faith United Methodist Church in Kirksville, Missouri, where she was active in the United Methodist Women organization, taught an adult Sunday School class, and served as Secretary and Vice President of the Hannibal-Kirksville District United Methodist Women from 1990 to 1998.

Her professional and community associations included the National League of Nursing during her years of nursing education, the Missouri Association of Family and Community Education, the Porter and Adair County Association for FCE, and the Hands of Friendship Quilt Guild.

Kay will be remembered for her dedication to education, her service to her community, her love of quilting and crafts, and the many lives she touched through her work and faith.

Local arrangements are under the direction of Playle Rimer Millard Family Funeral Chapel, 2100 E Shepherd Avenue, Kirksville, MO 63501 (660) 665-2233. Condolences may be left online for the family at www.playlerimermillard.com.