Ms. Kay Audrey Sewell, age 89, of Summerville, passed away on Sunday, May 5, 2024, at a local senior living facility.
Kay was raised on a wheat farm in rural eastern Washington state, the oldest daughter of Leonard & Edith Childs, with her siblings Ron, Sandy, and Linda. Photos from their young lives depict an active life of farm chores, fishing, and school projects.
Kay grew into a resourceful, independent young woman. While raising her 3 children Debi, Michael & Beth, she became a dedicated and hardworking X-ray Technician. Making use of her brilliant organizational and people skills, she headed the Washington State Radiological Society for several years. Later she followed then-grown daughter Beth cross-country, helping take care of grandchildren Jessica, Ben, and Michael from toddlers through middle-school. She repeated the same loving care and lessons for Jessica’s children (her great-grandchildren) Abbie, Sam, Ben and most recently young MaryKate. For the first (2?) years of MaryKate’s life, “grandma” Kay and MaryKate were daily companions. This became the greatest joy of Kay’s life. We all relished watching.
This past year Kay has been an incredibly brave trouper, dealing with the challenges that her progressing lung disease handed her. Through several stays in hospital and rehab facilities, she put her all into therapy work and struck friendships at each location.
Over the years Kay always made a striking impression with everyone she met – being remembered fondly by relatives and friends of relatives alike. She was ever a source of stability for our family. She was continuously, tirelessly sourcing gifts for ALL of her extended family, sharing her limitless love. She was such a big presence in all our lives; we will miss her daily and deeply.
Kay enjoyed camping at the lake with her grandkids, Derek, Ben, Daniel, and Michael II, son-in-law Mike and was always a water person. With boats and jet skis, Kay’s camper was always the base camp. She came to baseball games when she could and helped watch the grandkids when she couldn’t come. Moving to Macon when Beth was a teenager, they were never far apart if not living together. For the last few months, as she fought this incurable disease, Beth followed her lead of strength and grit until they both knew she was tired, and Beth needed to let her know she would be ok. She made her list and one by one she checked them off. So as they said their goodbyes and Beth held her close for the last time, Beth’s heard holds her close everyday waiting for them to be together again.
Kay is survived by her daughter, Debi Seglin (the late Mike Seglin); son, Michael Adams (Linda) and Michael’s stepdaughter Bridget (Marcus); daughter, Elizabeth Howard Hester (Mike) and Beth’s daughter, Jesica Howard Ray (Sam, II) their children, Abbie, Sam, IV, Ben, and Mary Kate; Beth’s sons, Benjamin Howard (Jamie) Ben’s children, Lilah and Logan; and Michael J. Hester, II (Liz Rmirez) their son, Elias J. Hester; Beth’s stepsons, Derek Hester (Jessica) their daughters, Kherrington and Brenneth; and Daniel Hester (Meagan) their daughters, Aspen and Taytum.
A celebration of Kay’s life will be held on Thursday, June 6, 2024, beginning at 12 noon at the residence of Beth Hester.
The family would like to express a special thank you to Tapestry Hospice, Magnolia Place at the Spires, Dr. Barberia and Dr. White and her team of Residents for their care, kindness, and patience.
Henderson & Sons Funeral Home, North Chapel, is honored to serve the family of Ms. Kay Audrey Sewell.
