Kay Ellen Anderson

Kay Ellen Anderson, 85, born May 23, 1940, in Claremont, New Hampshire, lived a life defined by curiosity, compassion, and a remarkable ability to make people laugh - even when she wasn’t trying. She passed away on November 26, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of love, learning, and stories that will be retold by those who knew her for many years to come.

Kay grew up in Claremont as the daughter of Adele and Nick Kamel. From an early age, she showed the qualities that would shape her life: intelligence, empathy, and a determined streak of fiery independence that served her well as both an artist and an educator. After earning her degree, she dedicated more than thirty years to teaching, eventually becoming Teacher of the Year for the state of Utah - a recognition that surprised no one except Kay herself. Her classrooms were known for creativity, color, and the occasional improvisation. She built art and geography programs from scratch, pouring her talent into every lesson. Her students adored her and learned early that Mrs. Anderson’s field trips were never dull and usually involved a story worth telling later.

Kay was also a gifted artist who painted, drew, and sculpted with the same enthusiasm she brought to everything else in her life. She devoured non-fiction books at a speed that defied explanation and had an uncanny ability to recall details most people would forget ten minutes later. She loved people, conversation, and jumping into new projects, and her sense of humor followed her wherever she went. There isn’t anyone who knew her well who doesn’t have at least one funny Kay story - often involving her quick wit, her fearlessness, or a situation she wandered into with absolute confidence and zero hesitation. There was no one in the world like her.

She shared that same openness and generosity at home. Fostering children was one of the defining experiences of her family’s life, and the relationships she built endured. Kay is survived by two beloved foster daughters, Julie Harvey and Eva Ristem, along with Eva’s mother, Kathie Welch, all of whom remained close to her throughout her life. She is also survived by her daughter, Melissa Higgins, and Melissa’s husband, David, who cherished Kay not only as a mother-in-law but also as a second mom. Kay delighted in their dinners, long conversations, and the lively debates that only a household of smart, good-humored people can produce.

Kay is also survived by her sister, Linda, her brother, Robert, and her grandchildren, David Higgins and Akira Higgins, who inherited her love of learning and her appreciation for a well-timed joke. Before her passing, they enjoyed movie nights with her, watching everything from classics to new releases. She was predeceased by her son, Richard A. Cole, whom she loved beyond measure.

Kay loved horses, traveling, and adventure. Her favorite trips took her to Mexico, Europe, and Costa Rica. However, anyone who spent time with her knows that she could turn a simple afternoon into something unforgettable.

What she leaves behind is not merely the memory of a life well lived, but the feeling she gave to those around her - joy, comfort, laughter, and the unshakeable sense that you mattered. She is deeply loved, and she will be deeply missed.