Wanda Louise Kay

Wanda was born on a small farm approximately 5 miles west of Salem, Indiana to Jesse Purlee and Addie Marshall Purlie. Her brother and sisters were Laurel, Richard, Jewel, Bruce, Ronald, and Gary. She attended a small grade-school located between her home and Pekin and attended high school by riding a bus to Pekin High School. When she entered the school room she was noticed as a beautiful red-headed girl by Byron Kay who lived in Pekin. Byron and Wanda were great friends throughout high school.

When Byron returned home from WW2 he attended a trade school in Chicago. While there he asked her to marry him (over the telephone). Wanda worked in the office of Montgomery Ward while living in Chicago. After a few months, they moved back to Pekin and had a daughter, Patrica Joan. In another year, they moved to Angola, Indiana where Byron attended Tri-State College and Wanda worked as a waitress. Next, they all moved to Akron, Ohio where Byron worked for Goodyear Aircraft. When Patricia started school, Wanda worked part time at a Christian Book store. Then later worked in the office of a large department store. She gave birth to a 2nd daughter, Pamela Jane. When Byron was transferred to Arizona in 1973, Wanda worked and retired from Coldwell Banker as a commercial property manager. She ended up being the Property Manager of the 7 Sun City business strip malls.

Wanda was always great and spent much of her spare time sewing clothes for the girls and later making quilts and wall hangings. She was active in the Sun City Quilt club at Lakeview Recreation Center in Sun City. She also volunteered at Interfaith in Sun City. 

Wanda lived at Morningstar Arrowhead Assisted Living in Glendale, Arizona until her passing with Byron by her side for the last 78 years. They both turned 100 last year. Wanda celebrated her 100th birthday on November 1, 2024. Byron celebrated his 100th birthday on October 15, 2024.

Wanda and Byron have two daughters, Patrician Joan Robinson, and Pamela Jane Kay. Four grandsons, Michael Robinson, Steven Robinson (Tonia), Joshua Bradley and Ryan O’Donnell (Sarah). Four great grandchildren, Alexis, Payton, Jacob, and Jude. And, last but not least, 2 ½ great-great grandchildren, Everly, Ezra and a baby on the way!