December 19, 2025

Christmas Carolers Bring Sounds of the Season to Kavanagh House

The halls of Kavanagh House were filled with the sounds of the holidays on December 14th thanks to a Christmas caroling performance led by Kerry Funke and a group of friends.  It’s their second year visiting the hospice house on 56th Street. 

“I got in touch with EveryStep because I was looking for a recommendation for a nursing home (to visit with carolers) …  and they asked: ‘Would you consider coming to Kavanaugh House?’”, Kerry says, “I didn't know if the residents would want to sing the Christmas songs … but to see them singing along was wonderful.” 

For Kerry, the holiday season can stir conflicting emotions.  “My husband Paul died on December 21st.  Our wedding anniversary is December 30th.  His funeral was December 29th.”  That was in 2021. 

Kerry’s final hours with Paul were spent at EveryStep’s Bright Kavanagh building.  She remembers those moments as a time of peace.  “(Spiritual Care Counselor) Brent was visiting with us and he was reading some scripture, and I asked him to read Corinthians 13, because that was at our wedding,” Kerry recalls, “Paul wasn't having a good day, but he kept trying to stop (Brent) and he kept pointing at me. And we finally figured out he wanted me to read it.”  

“As Brent was leaving, I told him that Paul was Catholic and I asked: ‘When should we call Father Dan?’ And he said: ‘You need to call him this afternoon.’ And he was right.”   

Kerry says she lost not only Paul, but her community as well.  “My husband and I were fortunate enough to own the second home down in Sun Valley Lake for 20 years,” Kerry says, “Then after he died, I just couldn't keep up two houses, but my friends were down there. We were very tight. And then it’s like: now what do I do?” 

But as she turned that page in her life, a new chapter began.  Through a friend, Kerry discovered the Newcomers’ Compass Club.  It’s a group of women just like her looking to make new friends.  Kerry says the camaraderie has been lifechanging. 

“I’m going on for three years, and they've just been a lifeline … making just some tremendous friends. I'm just having fun,” she says, “I usually have something going on every day of the week.  Tomorrow, I'm playing Mahjong.  Then later I’m hosting bridge at my house, then going to another house for bridge. Then we have pinochle or 500, on Thursday.” 

That list of activities also includes recruiting new members, something she was able to do after finishing her performance at Kavanagh House.  “I was just talking with a member of that family over there and said I'm happy to give you more information.”  You can find more information on the Newcomer’s Compass Club’s website and Facebook page.