Kathleen Kaye Gayle Dahlinger

July 29, 1942 – September 9, 2015

Kay passed away at home on September 9, 2015 after a long battle with cancer. Family and friends were able to visit and reminisce with her prior to her death. She was preceded in death by her parents, Spencer Charles and Helen Frieda (Schall) Garrett, and her grandson Killian Ray Potter. Her parents built and ran the K Motor Lodge of Aurora for many years, which they named in honor of Kay. The Aurora City Council asked Spencer to serve as Chief of Police until 1970.

Kay was born at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Denver, Colorado; an only child, she was raised primarily in Aurora, Colorado. She attended Crawford Elementary, West Middle, and Aurora Central High Schools. As a child, Kay was very active in Brownies, Girl Scouts, Future Homemakers of America, Newman Catholic Club, and Senior Girl Scouts. She also worked on the Trojan Tribune as editor and the senior yearbook, the Aurora Borealis. She furthered her education at Western State College (1960 – 1962) and was a member of Sigma Kappa Sorority. In 1962, Kay transferred to the University of Denver to complete her higher education. She maintained her membership in Sigma Kappa and became Pledge Mistress and Vice President of Sigma Phi Epsilon.

Kay married Everett John Dahlinger, Jr. on April 24, 1965. They adopted their daughter, Heather Arron, in 1972, and in 1975, a son, Sean Garrett, was born to them.

Kay also was a respected member in the Colorado Judicial System. Her professional career began in the Spring of 1962 when Judge William Nagle offered her the position of Junior Juvenile Probation Officer. From 1964 to 1970, she worked with the Arapahoe County Probation, 18th Judicial District. Kay and Judge Marvin W. Foote wrote the Juvenile Code of Colorado, which is still in place today. Kay also served as president of the Arapahoe County Legal Secretaries Association. Kay also served as historian for the chapter and for the State of Colorado; parliamentarian for State of Colorado; and Chapin chair for the national organization.

In 1972, Kay went to work for Aurora Public Schools, working with children with speech impairments and disabilities. In 1985, she returned to the judicial system as a Probation Officer for Aurora. She became Chief Probation Officer in 1988. Kay enjoyed handling adoptions, including handing babies to new parents.

Kay started the Municipal Association of Probation Offices. She also founded the national organization LINK (link between animal abuse and domestic violence). Kay also was instrumental in restoring the Fox Theatre of Aurora.

Kay was a founding member of the Parson’s Russell Club of America in 1998, a member in the Norwegian Lundehund Club America since 2002, and the Arapahoe Kennel Club in 2006. Over the years, she showed (even traveling to Norway) and bred her three Lundehunds.

Kay enjoyed cooking and decorating for celebrations with families and friends. She also was an expert seamstress, sewing many of her family’s clothes.

Shortly after retirement, Kay was diagnosed with cancer fighting the battle until her death on September 9, 2015.

She is survived by her beloved children, Dr. Heather Dahlinger Potter of Denver and Sean Garrett Dahlinger of Aurora; her two grandchildren, Garrett and Carson Potter; and her dog, Elle.

There will be a viewing on Thursday, September 17, 2015 at 4:00 p.m. A rosary will follow at 6:30 p.m. at Advantage Aurora Chase Chapel, 1095 Havana Street, Aurora, Colorado. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday September 18, 2015 at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 13120 East Kentucky Avenue, Aurora, Colorado. A reception will immediately follow the Mass. Interment will be held at Fairmount Cemetery, 430 South Quebec, Denver, Colorado at 1:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider donations to the American Cancer Society, 2255 South Oneida, Denver, Colorado, 80224 or the American Kennel Club of Colorado, 3700 Quebec Street, Denver, Colorado 80207.