Katherine "Kay" Ann Pellack

February 11, 1958 - April 07, 2025

Obituary For Katherine "Kay" Ann Pellack

Services will be live-streamed on April 16th, please visit the following link to watch: Katherine “Kay” Pellack.

Katherine “Kay” Ann Pellack (Hurley) of Raleigh, North Carolina, passed away peacefully surrounded by her beloved family on April 7, 2025. After a cancer diagnosis in 2018, Kay faced the challenge of its recent recurrence with her characteristic grace and resilience.

Kay was born on February 11, 1958, in Urbana, IL to Marilynn Hurley and the late James D. Hurley Jr. She attended Lasalle Peru High School and retained a fondness for her hometown, visiting her mom and cherished life-long friends in the Illinois Valley regularly. After high school, Kay attended the College of St Theresa, and ultimately earned her music education degree from Western Illinois University in 1978 finishing both high school and college in the span of 6 years.

From a young age, Kay had a love of music. She started piano lessons at age 5 and played throughout her life with a special love for Johann Sebastian Bach. Kay also learned to play pipe organ at a very young age, and played at local churches around the Illinois Valley from the age of 14. She was an accomplished oboist playing first chair with the Chicago Youth Symphony. After moving to Raleigh, she found a love for singing, auditioning and joining the North Carolina Master Chorale where she sang in the choir for 30 years.

Kay started her professional life working as a systems coordinator for 10 years at 3M in Minneapolis, MN before moving to Raleigh, NC. After moving to Raleigh, she went back to school to earn a degree in Accounting at NC State and subsequently sat for the CPA exam, winning the Katherine Guthrie Award for earning the highest score in the state on the November 1992 exam. Her CPA ultimately led her to a gratifying career with jobs at Martin Marietta Materials, AICPA, and SAS, where she worked for 18 years and recently retired from her role as Senior Director of Accounting Operations.

In Raleigh, Kay was so very fortunate to meet the true and lasting love of her life Robert “Bob” Pellack. Kay and Bob were married for 27 years.This marriage also brought Kay the gift of Bob’s two daughters who she adopted, cherished, and raised. Their life together brought her so much joy as well as the shared passions for world travel, music, and food.

Kay was passionate about service and made a difference for the organizations she cared about. She served most recently as President of the Board of Directors for the North Carolina Master Chorale, and previously served on the boards of the Community Music School and the Philharmonic Association. She also volunteered with her church, St Francis of Assisi, where she sang in the choir and served as cantor for many years. Since retiring she has also worked in the office and assisted in organizing funerals.

Kay was unfailingly positive in the face of obstacles throughout her life but especially in this last chapter where she showed those around her how to appreciate every day. Her strong faith prepared her to let go of this earthly life with grace and dignity.

Kay is survived by her beloved husband Robert Pellack, daughters Dana (Kevin) O’Riordan, and Alissa Pellack and Alissa’s fiance Andrew Ehsaei all of Raleigh, North Carolina. She is also survived by her mother Marilynn Hurley of Batavia, IL; sisters Ellen (Jeff) Gibson of St. Charles, IL and Mary Sue (Colin) Hopper of Wellington New Zealand, and her brother Jim (Terri) Hurley of Villa Park, IL. She will also be missed by her loving nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the Medical Staff of the UNC Rex Cancer Center, Kay’s Oncologist Dr. Boles, and the team at Transitions Hospice for the loving support.

The family will receive visitors on Tuesday, April 15th 2025 from 4pm-7pm at Renaissance Funeral Home, 7615 Six Forks Rd. Raleigh, NC 27615. A Liturgy of the Word service will take place at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church on April 16th 2025 at 1:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Community Music School of Raleigh at cmsraleigh.org or the North Carolina Master Chorale at www.ncmasterchorale.org.

Services

15 Apr

Visitation

04:00 PM - 07:00 PM

Renaissance Funeral Home 7615 Six Forks Road Raleigh, NC 27615 Get Directions »

16 Apr

Liturgy of the Word

01:00 PM

St. Francis of Assisi Church 11401 Leesville Road Raleigh, NC 27613 Get Directions »

16 Apr

Committal Service

01:45 PM

St. Francis Of Assisi Catholic Church Columbarium 11401 Leesville Rd Raleigh, NC 27613 Get Directions »

by Obituary Assistant

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Condolences

April 13, 2025

Sue Kern

I had the pleasure of working with Kay at 3M. I will miss our annual family Christmas updates. My prayers to her family for peace and comfort 🙏 Cherish the memories ✨️
April 11, 2025

LuAnn Stoskopf

Sending my deepest condolences to Kay's family. I met Kay when we were both music ed students at WIU. I'm so glad we'd stayed in touch with each other through the years. Her annual Christmas letter was something I looked forward to receiving every year, always written in a unique style that was her own. Even though it has been years since we last saw each other, it feels like a short time ago and I was blessed to have her as a friend. Until we see each other again, sweet Kay.
April 11, 2025

Jean Sayre

Please accept my heartfelt condolences. I had the privilege of meeting Kay at SAS, where her positivity and uplifting presence left a lasting impression. She always managed to put things in perspective, even when I felt overwhelmed. Over the years, I've heard wonderful stories about Bob, the girls, and Kay's dedication to the NC Master Chorale group. Despite any adversity, Kay always carried a song in her heart and a smile on her face. I hope that cherishing the beautiful memories you shared will bring some comfort during this difficult time. Jean Sayre
April 10, 2025

Valerie Grasso

I am devastated by Kay's passing. We were both cantors at 7:15 am mass at St. Francis. She was a mentor and my rock, whom I called on to transcribe music and help me through difficult musical pieces. Her candor and kindness were a balm for me. 7:15 am mass will never be the same without her unwavering faith and dedication to service. Valerie Grasso
April 10, 2025

Carlo

Condolence to you and your family.
April 10, 2025

Cathy Brawner

I will miss your positive spirit and shining light. I'm glad to have known you. Cathy B.
April 09, 2025

Ines

My condolences to you and your family. Love from Austria - Ines