Kathleen (Kay) Haley Crozier

Kathleen (Kay) Haley Crozier, our loving mother, nana, sister and friend passed away on October 6, 2022, surrounded by her children. She was 89 years old. She is predeceased by; her husband Edgar (Ray) Crozier, her parents Ray & Rebecca Haley and granddaughter Rebecca Trenski. Immediately survived and missed by her three children Pat (Kevin), Steve and Jenny (Peter) and grandchildren; Katie (Matt), Sam, Nick, Dave, Nate, Jess, Chris and Dan. She is also survived by 3 brothers and one sister; Gary (Nancy), Richard, Jerry and Anne (Rick). Kay was born in 1932 and grew up in Maine where she was the oldest of five. After High School she began looking at colleges. It was not typical for women to attend college in the fifties. Her parents decided that she would attend the University of Maine. She was an excellent student and member of Phi Beta Kappa, which is the oldest & most prestigious academic honor society in the US. It was also here where she met the love of her life, Ray. The high ratio of men to women did not deter Ray. He spotted her across the room and jumped in front of his friend to ask her to dance. They were later married and together for 68 years. After graduation, Kay passed her driving test and hopped into her car with her mother-in-law and drove to California to live with Ray. This was before the interstate road system. They made several stops on the way including the Grand Canyon and Petrified Forest. Throughout her life she continued traveling both in the US and overseas to Bermuda, Jamaica, Italy and England to name a few. From her humble roots in Maine she lived in California, New York (2X), New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, (3X), Georgia, Michigan and finally settled in Florida. Kay was an amazing wife and mother. She cared deeply for her family and neighbors. When her children were young, she dressed them in lederhosen (like the Sound of Music) where they performed at nursing homes. For many years she tutored kids who had difficulty reading. Kay was a Girl Scout leader for both Pat and Jenny. She volunteered frequently for any cause or need not out of obligation but because that was who she was. Kay had a variety of interests. Her favorite game was Bridge. She loved to play as a couple with Ray and also played on her own. She lead book clubs and play reading groups. She was prolific in making baby and wedding gifts as well as Christmas cards and ornaments. For nineteen years she took her children and grandchildren to Jamaica for a week of family fun. This was the highlight of her year as well as ours. Our last night together always ended with each of us sharing what we liked most about the week which inevitably included games. Everyone enjoyed playing a variety of games with Kay. As soon as breakfast was over our group would grab a table and play as many games as we could fit in before lunch. After dinner, the “whole” group would join in for a spirited game of Uno or Facts in Five. Finding words to honor our mother and sum up the impact of a life well lived, is a difficult task. She was a woman of faith who loved the Lord, her family, church and community. We will miss her deeply. Proverbs 31: 25-26, 28-29 “She is clothed in strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her. Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”

Tributes

Kathleen (Kay) Haley Crozier

October 6, 2022