Kathleen Monica Jordan Boyea

Kathleen Monica Jordan Boyea, 78, of Alexander, NC, passed away on Saturday, April 11, 2026. After a several-year battle with vascular dementia, she passed away peacefully from acute kidney failure.

A native Cheesehead (Green Bay Packer fan), born in Milwaukee, WI on December 29, 1947, Kathleen was the daughter of the late Harold Emmett and Violet Ruth Manville Jordan, and the late Stanley and Monica Homontowski. She was also preceded in death by Eileen Jordan Wozny (favorite aunt), other aunts and uncles, and Jarrod Smith (son-in-law).

Kathleen is survived by her husband of 55 years, Jeffrey Boyea; daughters, Colleen Boyea, Sarah Cody (Jonathan), Tammy Leinberger (Karl), and Katie Ryder (Kenneth); son, Timothy (Catherine); grandchildren, Lucas Cody (Rebekah), Case Cody, Maria Leinberger, Zachary Boyea, Logan Boyea, Ethan Boyea, and Henry Ryder; great-grandchild, Benjamin Cody; siblings, Emmett Jordan, Quin Homontowski (Sandi), Ellen Douglas, and Daniel Homontowski (Gail); and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Kathleen met her husband, Jeffrey, in Milwaukee, WI. They were married on July 11, 1970, and soon moved to Asheville, NC. They fell in love with the area and four years later, built their current home in Alexander, NC. They have happily lived there ever since, raising their five children in the beauty of the Appalachian Mountains.

Kathleen attended Edgewood College and obtained a degree in early childhood education. She briefly taught kindergarten before moving to North Carolina. In 1983, she and Jeffrey started a route sales business called WNC Meat Service for which she managed the office. She retired when they closed the business in 2010. Kathleen also worked at a local used bookstore, Books by Linda, for 7 years until it closed in 2012.

Kathleen devoted her life to her family, her church, and her community. As a stay-at-home mom, she became a “professional volunteer” by helping out in her church and community. For her church (St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church), she was a CCD Teacher, Vacation Bible School Volunteer, Update (parish newsletter) Contributor, Bingo Volunteer, Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, Nursery Coordinator, Bright Blessings Baby Shower Volunteer, Hospitality Minister, Offertory Counter, and a founding member of the Catholic Daughters (Court St. Joan of Arc), where she served, at various times, as Financial Secretary, Treasurer, and Auditor. In her community, she volunteered at her children’s schools as a chaperone, PTO officer, proctor, room mother, RIF coordinator, a guidance office volunteer at the high school, and served on the curriculum committee. Further community work found her as a Cub Scout helper, Girl Scout troop leader, Girl Scout Cookie Cupboard Coordinator, Clean Streams organizer, Adopt-A-Highway coordinator, Youth League volunteer, and a Home Extension officer.

Kathleen was known for making Jell-o squares, kielbasa & sauerkraut, and magic bar (Hello Dolly bar) cookies for any function at school, the community, or church. She created the “make-your-own pizza party” with her yummy homemade pizza crust. She started the birthday tradition of always cooking and baking the birthday boy/girl’s favorite meal and dessert. She loved to sing and listen to music (especially John Denver) and even played both the guitar and the piano herself. She encouraged all of her children to play the piano as well (with varied results).

Kathleen was a sweet, patient, and loving person. She was always so kind and gentle, basically a Mom to everyone. She was an avid bird watcher, a lover of nature, and was recycling before it was “cool.” We, her family, could not have asked for a better wife and mother. She loved us completely and without prejudice, always supporting and encouraging us through life’s successes and challenges. She was a better counselor and advisor than any of us could find at school. Although Kathleen is gone from this world, she will live in our hearts forever.

Funeral services will be held at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church (768 Asbury Rd, Candler, NC 28715) on Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. Inurnment of Kathleen’s cremains will happen after the Mass in the church’s columbarium. A luncheon will be provided afterward in the Fellowship Hall.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to:
MemoryCare – https://memorycare.org/supporting-memorycare/ways-to-give/
Mountain Aging Partners – https://www.mountainagingpartners.org/ways-support
St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church – 768 Asbury Rd, Candler, NC 28715, 828-670-0051