Kathryn Stanford

Stanford, Kathryn M. “Kay”

On Sunday, November 8, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family and friends following a long battle with cancer.

Kay was born on May 1, 1951 to the late Melvin and Verona Zimmer. She is survived by her children, Paul Stanford, Lee (Leo) Yerkey and Nick Stanford (Zoe Florence). Kay was preceded in death by her daughter, Sarah Stanford. She is also survived by her brother, Mike Zimmer, and sisters, Patti Lewis (Steve Verderber) and Vicki (Ben) Cox. She was a loving grandmother to Curtis, Brendan, Kaia, Jessica, Madalyn, Micah and Tobin. Great grandmother, aunt, niece, cousin and friend to many.

Kay graduated from Cleveland High School (’69) and was the ultimate Dutchmen supporter. Kay also attended Colorado Western College in Durango, CO. Following a career at KPMG Peat Marwick and Aon Innovative, she established her own business, Kay Care, assisting the elderly with home projects allowing them to live independently.

Kay sat on the Board of Directors of the Carondelet Historical Society as well as the Cleveland High School Staff-Alumni Association. She was also an active volunteer with Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Kay had a love of all things Elvis and had an extensive collection of Elvis memorabilia. She also had a passion for baton twirling. She was a twirler in the St. Louis Twirling Teens and formed the Silver Stars and Star Machine Twirling Teams. Kay also traveled the Midwest as an NBTA twirling judge.

Kay’s family would like to thank Lori and the staff at Celtic Hospice Services as well as the compassionate support from Zoe, Kim, Susie, Mary and many others in her final days.

A memorial service followed by a buffet dinner will be held on Wednesday, November 11th at 7:30 p.m. at Andre’s, 4254 Telegraph Road. Kay requested that you wear your orange and blue if you have it.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Carondelet Historical Society, 6303 Michigan Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63111. Thank you.

10 Comments

  1. Desma Bozikis-kowalczyk on November 11, 2015 at 4:38 am

    Kay you are an angel now. You are. One of the sweetest persons I have known. I was to ca you my friend for 50 years. TO YOUR Family my sympathy goes out to you. May her memory be eternal LOVE YOU KAY



  2. TOM AND LINDA LEE MERLE on November 11, 2015 at 7:18 am

    MY DEAR SWEET COUSIN KAY. WILL MISS YOU SO MUCH HUN. WILL MISS ALL THE LAUGHS WE HAD THROUGH THE YEARS. YOU HAD GONE THROUGH SO MUCH IN THE PAST YEARS, BUT ALWAYS TRIED TO MAKE THE BEST OF IT. R. I. P. DEAR KAY. LOVE YA CUZ LINDA



  3. Joan Schmidt Sargent on November 11, 2015 at 8:27 am

    What a beautiful person, who was loved by everyone she met, she will be missed. Love and peace to you, sweet angel.



  4. Linda Harris Waller on November 11, 2015 at 12:11 pm

    Kay, you were loved by so many and every person you touched in their lives was blessed to know you. You and I bonded over the loss of your daughter and my son later in life and I’ll never forget the times we had dinner together when I visited St. Louis before I moved back to Missouri and we would talk about Sarah and Christopher. Thank you for all of your hard work to keep the Dutchman spirit alive and establishing the Cleveland Room at the Historical Society. Even heaven is a better place because you’re there now! I love you, Kay and I will always remember you and keep you in my heart. Rest in peace, my sweet friend.



  5. Sandy and Tim Evers on November 11, 2015 at 1:28 pm

    May God bless you and keep you safe in his Heavenly arms. Thank you for being an inspiration to all. I will continue to support MADD in your daughters honor. The Cleveland room will miss our most dedicated Dutchman.



  6. Shirley Webb Routh on November 11, 2015 at 1:36 pm

    RIP Kay. My sympathy goes out to the family.



  7. Linda and Mike McGinnis on November 11, 2015 at 2:36 pm

    Kay, thank you for keeping the memories of Cleveland alive for all of us and all you’ve done for so, so many people over the years-thank you for sharing your smile, your strength and your friendship with so many. You were loved by many. Our love and sympathy to Kay’s family.



  8. Darleen on November 11, 2015 at 4:37 pm

    I was so sad to hear of Kay’s passing. I have been praying for her from day 1. For a while there I thought she was going to beat her cancer, but I guess God had other plans for Kay. She is now with Sarah and what a reunion it was I am sure. Rest in Peace Kay and know that we will all miss you.



  9. joann colvin on November 11, 2015 at 5:18 pm

    Dear Kay, Time will never erase all of the worldly good deeds you accomplished nor all of the lives you have touched. Your commitment to Cleveland High School Dutchmen and The Carondelet Historical Society,was unsurpassed. The impact you made on friends, family, alumni….the list goes on and on….will be felt and remembered in our hearts for many years to come. Love you girlfriend! Spread those orange and blue angel wings and fly.



  10. Rhonda and Brian Forbes on November 11, 2015 at 10:53 pm

    Kay, no more sadness, no more pain, just joy in your loving and caring heart from now on. Thank God for you.



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