ILION - Catherine "Kay" M. (Cortez) Jess, age 98, of 63 Morgan St., Ilion, died on Wednesday, June 26, 2013, at home, with her family by her side. She was born on April 26, 1915, in Herkimer, the daughter of Gregory and Barbara (Macri) Cortez and attended Herkimer schools. On May 29, 1948, she was married to William E. Jess in Herkimer NY. He died on March 9, 1993. Kay was owner and operator of Kay's Beauty Salon for thirty years, retiring in 1972. At one time, she was a member of Herkimer County Hairdressers' Association. She was a member and communicant of the Church of the Annunciation, Ilion. Survivors include her sister and brother-in-law, Clare and Jack Terrell, of Herkimer; her nieces and nephews, Scott Terrell and wife, Stacey, of Baldwinsville, Jackie Hobika and husband, Andrew, of Clinton, Linda Sanita and husband, Dennis, of Herkimer, Fred Sanguine, of Schuyler, Gregg Sanguine, of Herkimer, Greg Cortese and wife, Susan, of New Hartford, Michael Cortese and wife, Maria, of Saratoga Springs; and many great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins and special friends, Richard and Marion Ruller, of Herkimer. She is predeceased by her brothers and sisters-in-law, Frank and Josephine Cortez, and Joseph and Anne Cortez; and her sister and brother-in-law, Mary and Fred Sanguine. Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 2, 2013, at the Applegate-Day & Enea Family Funeral Home, 4309 Acme Rd., Ilion, and 11:00 a.m. at the Church of the Annunciation where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Father Paul Catena assisted by Deacon James Bower. Entombment will be held at Armory Hill Cemetery in the Jess family mausoleum. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 2, 2013, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., prior to the funeral home service. The family wishes to thank the staff of Hospice and especially her caregivers Luba, Rita, Natalie and Tanya for their excellent care of Kay during her illness. Anyone wishing to share a memory of Kay, or add to her online memorial, may go to www.applegateandday.com on the Internet. In lieu of flowers, as an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be made to the Church of the Annunciation. Envelopes are available at the funeral home. All Kay's funeral services were prearranged and entrusted to Don Applegate, Funeral Director.