Kay Stoye passed away peacefully in her sleep on February 4 at the Canyonlands Care Center, where she spent the last few years of her wonderful and long life.
Kay was born in Modesto, California, and grew up in Alameda, California. After graduating from high school, she attended the University of California, Berkeley, and graduated in the class of 1937.
She joined the U.S. Coast Guard as a SPAR in 1943 and served as Lieutenant until the end of World War II, when she met her husband Fred. They raised their family in San Diego, Las Vegas, and finally moved to Moab in 1955, where they stayed. Her life in Moab was filled with friends, work, and social and charitable activities until she was nearly one hundred years old. She was a founding member of the Beta Sigma Phi sorority in Moab, and she and Fred were longtime members of the Elks Club, Town and Country Club and Dinner Dance. She was an accomplished bridge player for decades in Moab and loved hosting and participating in bridge parties.
Kay was a longtime member of St. Francis Episcopal Church in Moab, after growing up in the First Presbyterian Church in Alameda.
Her frequent companion and friend in her later years was Cyndie Gruszkiewicz (Jones), who accompanied Kay on her yearly trips to her other home in Alameda, California; and who frequently visited her after she moved into the Canyonlands Care Center when she turned 100 years old.
Fred preceded Kay in passing. She is survived by her sons, Michael, James and William; her daughter, Rita; and by seven grandsons, three granddaughters, three great-grandsons and one great-granddaughter.
At Kay’s request, cremation has taken place and there will be a memorial service at a later date.
You may send condolences to the family at www.spanishvalleymortuary.com.
