Spearville, KS – Kayla (McSherry) Vasquez and her daughter, Aalilyah Vasquez, died unexpectedly in June 2022. Their lives were the essence of joy and beauty.
Kayla Leila Marie Vaquez (McSherry) was born in 1991 in Garden City, Kansas, and though she entered the world quietly, she soon found her voice and made herself heard. She attended Dodge City High School, where she most enjoyed choir, musicals, and art. Shortly after high school, Kayla experienced love, loss, difficulties, and the triumphs of life. Her journey took her to Louisiana, eventually settling in DeQuincy, Louisiana. Kayla loved that part of the country and lived there for a decade. Then two hurricanes hit, just a few months apart, destroying much of her city and preventing her from returning. She shortly thereafter became a resident of Spearville, Kansas. Kayla’s cooking was the envy of grandmothers everywhere (but she did not write things down, much to our lament). She loved being a mother and absolutely adored Aalilyah.
Aalilyah Rose Vasquez was born in 2017 in Sulphur, Louisiana. Aalilyah lived a happy, if far-too-short, life in just shy of five years, though she was not, in any way, a shy kid. She was an adventurous child who was outgoing, friendly, intelligent, and fearless. She loved her family, her cat Mew, mermaids, music, dinosaurs, stars, rainbows, bubbles, and unicorns. She loved roller coasters and carnival rides, often throwing her hands excitedly into the air as she giggled over the rumble of the machinery while it careened down its track.
From the moment of Aalilyah’s birth, Kayla and Aalilyah were inseparable. Kayla would sing to her daughter when Aalilyah did not feel well, and the duo would frequently sing together for the joy of it. They loved to dance and make art together. They went on adventures, frequently traveling to pumpkin patches, carnivals, music, and movies. The two went to every Spiderman movie and every Jurassic World movie together. They had a zeal for life and a taste for whimsy that made you believe that unicorns and mermaids were real and the stars could be plucked from the sky to hold in your hand. The world is a darker place in their absence.
Kayla was preceded in death by her grandparents, Bill and Pearl McSherry. Kayla and Aalilyah are survived by Grandparents Johnny and Anita Dunlap, Clarence and Genelda Gumescheimer, Mother Andrea McSherry, Stepfather Kevin Gumescheimer, Father Richard G. McSherry, Brothers Richard W. A. McSherry, and Jared Gumescheimer (Camrynn), Aunts Angela Botz (Daniel), and Tammy Hatesohl, Uncles Johnny Dunlap (Niki), and Jason Dunlap (Crystal), Cousins Nikki Seybert (Rocky), Eric Hatesohl, Alexander Botz, Lily Dunlap, Oriana Botz, and Katelyn Botz, Nieces Cadence Dunlap and Emersyn Gumescheimer, and Nephew Levi Gumescheimer.
A celebration of their lives will be held at the Church of the Nazarene in Dodge City on Monday, June 27, 2022 at 10:00 AM with Mr. Jeff Hiers presiding. Burial will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery in Dodge City. The family requests casual dress (preferably brightly-colored t-shirts, shorts, comfortable dresses/skirts) as you join us for this celebration of their life’s adventure. A book signing with the family present will be held at Swaim Funeral Chapel in Dodge City on Sunday, June 26, 2022 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Memorials are suggested to the Kayla Vasquez Memorial Fund in care of the funeral home. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.
