Kathryn Foley

ESSEX— Kathryn Sue Foley (nee Wagoner), 82, passed away on Jan. 28, 2026. Sue was born on Feb. 17th, 1943, in Yakima, WA, to Ward and Lorene Wagoner. She lived in Washington until she was seven, when her family moved to Flippin, AR. She met her husband of 57 years there, Edward Patrick Foley, and married on Aug. 18th, 1968, in Mountain Home, AR. They started their lifelong business partnership in Pat's fathers liquor store on the state line in Missouri, moving to Illinois in the years to follow, eventually opening their own business in Essex, IL. They have run The Essex Inn for 48 years together. Sue could be found daily grilling burgers and entertaining customers. She never met a stranger and loved to play euchre and cheer for opposing local sports teams to light up local fans. If you were lucky enough, you could catch her on the dance floor doing her own hillbilly stomp.
She is survived by her devoted husband, Pat, and their two children, Mary Michele (Matthew) Cannon and their two children, Jack and Caitlin, of Naperville, IL; and Ward Edward (Andrea) Foley and their four children, Michael, Samantha, Christopher, and Mary, of Essex; Also surviving siblings are Jimmy (Sue) Wagoner of Flippin, AR; and Tina (David) Kisded of Heber Springs, AR.
She was preceded in death by her parents and three brothers: Shug, Leon, and Mickey.
In lieu of funeral arrangements, the family is respecting Sue's wishes and will be spreading her ashes where her parents are buried in Yellville, AR. Memorial donations can be directed to Lightways Hospice, Joliet.
For more information and to visit Kathryn's online guestbook, please visit www.rwpattersonfuneralhomes.com or find them on Facebook.
R.W. Patterson Funeral Home & Crematory 401 E. Main St., Braidwood, is entrusted with arrangements.