Katherine Sydnor Carneal
Katherine “Kacey/Jeanie” Sydnor Carneal made her life transition to her new adventure on May 5th, 2022. She had a peaceful passing on her own terms at home in Gloucester County, surrounded by family and friends. We sent her out with love, prayers, and song, and all of us were in a circle holding her hands. She was aware and was ready to go- expecting to be greeted on the other side by (to name a few) her husband Rock, her brother Tom Sydnor, her mom, Kitty, her grandson, Ty Henderson, Jean Carneal, and quite a few beloved furry friends who went on before her. Kacey was a prolific self-taught artist whose paintings reflect the things and the people and causes she loved, all while delivering thought-provoking inspirational themes in her signature whimsical style. Kacey told us that we should “Carry On” and know that she had a beautiful life. She loved and was loved beyond words.
She had found her passion, her peeps, and her place in this world. Her work as an artist was so important to her and with few exceptions, she
painted 8 hours a day, 7 days a week and her work found its way into many homes and galleries nationwide and internationally. She was featured in newspapers and magazines profiling her style, her method, and the joy that is in all of her work. One of her proudest accomplishments was being the resident artist at the University of Virginia Children’s Hospital in Charlottesville. She felt like she had fulfilled her mission in life by being able to use her passion and talent to bring joy to children who would delight in seeing her amazing, colorful, and fun paintings on their hospital walls. She even had framed pictures in her art studio of some of the children. Kacey was happy to be here with us for as long as she was87 years!! She was born in Richmond, Virginia, on 9 March 1935 to Katherine Eddy Sydnor and Thomas Clifton Sydnor and is survived by her two daughters, Susie Mains and Vicki Henderson and
her daughter of the heart Katie Hale, her grandson Alex DeAngelis, and her son in law- Vicki’s
husband, Gary Henderson. She also leaves behind her nieces Terri Sydnor Doyle and Lynda Sydnor Hunley. And wow did she have wonderful friends that made her life so beautiful and inspired her paintings and her daily life. Kacey wanted us all to shed no tears (which we are having trouble honoring ) but she wants us to Celebrate the joyful life she lived in perfect Kacey Carneal style as she made her transition to Cinco de Mayo, a day of huge celebration! Memorial contributions may be made to the Patient Advocate Foundation, 421 Butler Farm Road, Hampton, VA 23666, or online at patientadvocate.org. A Celebration of Life is being planned in Gloucester for June 25, 2022; to be included, please send an email to Vicki at vhendu20@gmail.com. Services under the direction of Hogg Funeral Home.