Amy Kathryn Dailey, 91, passed away at her home in South Kansas City, Missouri on the 17th of September 2018. Sickly since after Christmas 2017, she was cared for at home by family with lots of help by a wonderful team from John Knox Village Hospice.
A two-time Breast Cancer survivor, Amy also fought to regain her speech after a stroke in July of 2015. She continued to have to search for the right words at times, especially when tired.
Over her life, Amy had many nicknames and used multiple spellings for her middle name. Many knew her by “Kitty” or “Amy K” both of which she used for most of her life. In her youth, however, she was commonly called “Kate” or “Katie”.
She was born at home on April the 27th of 1927, in Kansas City, Missouri. Her mother was born in the same house in 1908. At that time the address was 9700 Grand.
Amy was the only child of Theodore Roosevelt Metcalfe (1905-1979) and Helen Ruby Metcalfe (born Coffield, 1908-1991). Her parents met when Theodore, as a teen, moved down the street with his family. His parents were: Daniel Brown Metcalfe (1857-1920) and Anna Nancy Metcalfe (born Miller, 1862-1955).
Amy was named after her maternal Grandmother: Amy Catherine Coffield (born Simpson, 1872-1920) who died when Amy’s mother was only a girl. Raised on a farm during the depression, Amy lived with her parents and maternal grandfather, Charles Ottawa Coffield (1873-1954).
Amy graduated Ruskin High School (in South Kansas City) in 1945 in a class of only 36 students. One in her class was her cousin Shirley (the daughter of Amy’s uncle, Harlow Coffield) who lived next door to her growing up.
After graduation, a friend convinced her to marry an older man – the friend’s older brother – Frank Jamis. While he was older, he was a kind man and could easily take care of her and so they married. He encouraged her to go to New Mexico to visit family for a while.
In Albuquerque, Amy stayed with her Uncle Russel Metcalfe and his wife Dessie and worked at the Grand Canyon Cafe during her time there. That was where she met and fell in love with Joseph Aloysius Brady (1924-2008). Born and raised in Pennsylvania, he moved to New Mexico after returning home from the war. He followed his parents and younger brother to Albuquerque as they had moved there sometime after his enlistment.
Amy returned home to Kansas City and divorced her husband of convenience. She would soon be married a second time. On January the 9th of 1948, Amy and Joe married in Jackson County, Missouri. Their union brought both’s only five biological children: Terry, Rob, Theo, Tim, and Jon Brady. After the birth of their youngest, the two divorced on September 28, 1964, in Jackson County, Missouri.
She married for the third and last time to Robert Vernon “Bob” Dailey (1927-1997). Bob, another Kansas City native and a long time friend and neighbor had also been married previously and had a child of his own. Together, Amy and Bob raised her children and saw many grandchildren and great-grandchildren who called them “Papom” and “Papaw”, respectively. Amy was widowed in 1997 and had her first bout of Breast Cancer not too long after.
Amy worked most of her life, long past the age she could have retired. She held many jobs like working at Parkview Drugs in her youth, working as a secretary for BC McDonald, working at United Super (at 89th & Wornall) and being a Volunteer Income Tax Assistant at the Library in a program to help the elderly. She also held many interests and several hobbies over the years (Archery, Leatherwork, Ceramics and Candle making). She had a love of animals, cooking, and music.
Late in life, she rekindled her relationship with the father of her children after he lost his wife. The two lived together until his passing in 2008. Soon after, her Breast Cancer returned for a second and final time.
While her children were always her first priority, she could be generous to a fault when helping others in need.
She is preceded in death by her parents, husbands, and her granddaughter, Caitlyn. She leaves behind her children, many grand, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.
A short obituary was published for her in the Kansas City Star on September 26th, 2018.
Per her wishes, she was cremated and her remains will be placed with those of her parents, and those of Joe Brady. He wished, before his death, to be placed with Amy and her parents upon her death.
