Ruth Katherine Sherman “Kay Horne,” 96, of Cortland, NY, passed away peacefully. on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at the Groton Community Health Care Center, Groton, NY, with her daughter by her side.

Kay was born in Brookfield, IL, on January 10, 1930, the daughter of the late George and Ruth Proctor Horne. She went through the Riverside school system, starting in Hollywood and graduated valedictorian from Riverside-Brookfield High School. After spending a year at the University of Colorado at Boulder, Kay returned to work for the Sherman-Klove tool company in Oak Park before marrying Dave Sherman in 1950.

Kay found joy in many hobbies. She was a spirited line dancer during her years in Florida. As an avid lifetime reader, she recalled her favorite moments as a child involved climbing a crabapple tree with a book and a pillow to spend her afternoons. She also valued thrift shopping with her daughter Sue in Florida and Chicago land. Kay’s creative spirit was also evident in her passion for quilting.

She is survived by her son Dwight Sherman and his wife Janet of Warrenville, IL; her daughter Sue Sherman-Broyles and her husband Steve of Cortland; and daughter-in- law Sue Sherman of Riverside, IL. Her legacy continues through her beloved grandchildren: Ashley Piper and her husband Josh, Ryan Sherman and his wife Tia, Spencer Sherman, Kevin Sherman and his wife Carly, Sydney Neal and her husband Stephen, Christopher Broyles and his wife Lauren, Kelly Lyson and her husband Peter, and Cortland Broyles. Also remembering Kay with love are her fifteen great-grandchildren and her brother-in-law Philip Franks of Gladwyne, PA.

Kays journey through life was preceded by deaths of her husband David Sherman in 1996, and her son William Sherman in 2019. She also mourned the loss of her brother Denny Horne and her sister Fritzi Franks.

Private graveside services will be held at the convenience of at the Bronswood Cemetery in Hinsdale, IL.