Charlotte Marie Vevera Kay

Charlotte passed from this life embraced by the love and devotion of family and friends. She was respected and admired for her accomplishments and talents and treasured for her inspiring words and actions that will never be forgotten.

Charlotte will be remembered for her generous and creative spirit, her unwavering devotion to family and faith, and her quest to read, research, and find an answer to any problem presented; the corresponding “cut-outs” will be cherished. Her giving nature always in play, Charlotte never tired from helping friends and family overcome a challenge.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, she was one of seven children of Margaret and James Vevera. When she was a young child, the family relocated to Orlando, Florida where Charlotte graduated from St. James Catholic High School. Thereafter, she attended University of Alabama School of Dentistry, Department of Dental Hygiene. She returned to Orlando and worked as a dental hygienist where she later met and married “the wind beneath her wings”, Frank Edward Kay. They moved to Tampa, raising four daughters, Andrea (Aprea), Shannon (McIntosh), Stephanie (Hawkins), and Lauren (Montz).

Charlotte filled the house with words and songs of praise, faith, and love. She crafted stories for her girls to teach lessons of self-assurance and teamwork. Her intellect, curious nature and thirst for more knowledge eventually led Charlotte to obtain a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of South Florida, and years following, earned a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Nova Southeastern University.

After the family moved to Vero Beach, Florida, Charlotte became a licensed Mental Health Counselor and entered private practice. With an active interest in the community, she became one of the founding members of the Vero Beach Center for the Arts, now known as the Vero Beach Museum of Art. Charlotte also assisted with fundraising activities to help establish the Hibiscus Children’s Center in Vero Beach, a safe haven for abused and neglected children.

The family grew leaps and bounds in the 1990’s, welcoming spouses Philip Aprea, Andrew McIntosh, Chris Hawkins, and Dr. Roger Montz. And eventually, nine grandchildren: Arden, Olivia, Alexa (McIntosh), Jonathan and Alex (Aprea), Thomas Kryder and Luke (Hawkins), and Gillian and Logan (Montz). The grandchildren provided Charlotte a new audience for her stories and songs of love and everyday blessings. As they grew, she played beside

them, nurturing their imaginations and sharing her creative talents, such as sewing, cooking and entertaining and enjoyed being an enthusiastic supporter at baseball games, swim meets, dance recitals, lacrosse games and regattas.

Throughout her 89 years, Charlotte never stopped giving of herself. Even during the final months of her life, she frequently shared words of advice and encouragement with the medical staff caring for her.

Charlotte authored a life rich with love and legacy, the perfect ending for a beautiful wife, mother, aunt, and grandmother.

A Funeral Mass will be held at Christ the King Catholic Church located at 821 S. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, FL 33609 on January 6th at 10am.

In lieu of flowers, please consider honoring Charlotte's contributions to our community by making a donation to the Hibiscus Children's House by clicking the link below.