Irene “Kay” Lionikis, 54, a former professional baseball player, died yesterday (8/7/1978) at St. Peter’s Medical Center, New Brunswick, NJ, after a short illness.

Miss Lionikis, of Milltown, NJ, played professional baseball for six years in the Midwest, and toured the United States, Cuba, and South America with the teams she played for.

She was born in New Brunswick and returned to the area after retiring in 1953.

Miss Lionikis was employed by Rutgers University as equipment manager for the Women’s Athletic Department. Previously, she was employed by Rutgers University Library’s Special Collections Division as a secretary.

Miss Lionikis was a member of the Board of Trustees of the Rutgers Community Health Plan and the founding president of Rutgers University C.O.L.T.—an employees’ organization.

She was also a former New Brunswick Little League coach and played on champion tri-state basketball teams.

She was a member of the St. George Greek Orthodox Church, Piscataway, NJ.

Surviving were two brothers and two sisters.

Services were held Aug. 10, 1978 at the Gleason Funeral Home and at St. George Greek Orthodox Church.

Burial was in Van Liew Cemetery, North Brunswick, NJ.