Anna Crozier Kimball

Born on Jordan Avenue, South Portland, Maine, Kay was the daughter of James Robert Crozier, Sr. (1905-1985) and Margaret Mary Baker (1907-1998). Also predeceasing her were husband Hollis Calvin Kimball (“Dick” 1923-2000), brother James Robert Crozier, Jr. (1933-2004), step-brother Edward Harry Soper (“Buddy” 1934-1972), and nephew Duane Donald Crozier (1960-2018).

She is survived by her daughters, Carol Kimball Stahl (Paul O.) and Cynthia Jean Herndon, grandchildren Jennifer Lynne Herndon and Scott Ervin Herndon, niece Catherine Crozier, and nephew James Robert Crozier, III. She also will be missed by “daughters” Lorie Beam and B. J. Johnson, step-niece Susan Soper, and friends Erika Hermo and Wanda Bassett as well as her wonderful neighbors, caregivers, and many friends. Everyone always enjoyed chatting with her and listening to all her life stories.

Of her four-legged feline children, she mourned the loss of Kat and Lulu. Surviving her are Trouble and Mama who will continued to receive their treats. Growing up, she had a Doberman and later a little white dog that required her to be very careful when doing laundry of white clothes! She worked many a dog show in Portland and loved those opportunities to mingle with different dogs.

Catherine (as she was known then) graduated from South Portland High School in 1944, having grown up in South Portland on Ocean Street and in Cape Elizabeth on the Eastman Road farm owned by her grandfather, Charles Robert Crozier (1880-1943). A favorite farm stand at the end of the road was operated by the Hannaford family who later expanded. She worked many different jobs while in school and after, including time as a telephone operator in Maine, California and Massachusetts.

She met Dick when he moved to South Portland along with another fellow from Islesboro to work in the shipyards. The men rented a room from her grandmother Alice Emerson Baker (1889-1973), where Catherine was living at the time. When a date cancelled at the last minute, Dick asked if she would like to go to a movie with him, so they walked into Portland with her sandals flapping with every step. They married on October 12, 1946, after Dick’s stint in the army.

Kay & Dick traveled America when he was installing telephone central offices for Stromberg-Carlson, living in many for a few months and passing through all states except Florida. Although Carol was born in Portland, ME, Jean was born in Atascadero, CA. When Carol began school in 1954, they settled in Henrietta, NY (outside Rochester). Dick later accepted a position in NC, which brought the family to Raleigh in 1962.

In her new home, she served on the first Board of Directors for North Hills Club and developed a love of bridge. She later obtained her realtor’s license and operated Town & County Real Estate for many years. She was a creative person, and her painted scenes of the desert and magnificent clouds were prized by those who received them. A long-time member of the local rock (as in minerals…) club, she would white paint small, flat, water-smoothed rocks and add orange carrots – the club would announce that the silent auction had a 4-carrot stone available for bidding, raising extra money for the club during its gem & mineral shows.

Kay’s mother moved to Searchlight, NV, and Kay would visit her each year. She loved checking out the deserts with her friends, picking up rough minerals and remains from work in mines. Purple glass was always a favorite. The beauty of the desert never failed to move her, and she missed going there once her mother passed away.

An intelligent person with a natural curiosity of the world around her and a certain sense of humor, Kay loved helping people and animals and making the world a better place. She will certainly be missed.

A brief service with a closed casket will be held at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 1701 Millbrook Road, Raleigh, NC, at 4:00 on Monday, August 30. A chance to visit with the family and each other will be held from 5:00 to 7:00. Burial with immediate family only will occur later. If attending, please use proper mask precautions. Readers wishing to acknowledge her passing may make donations in her name to a favorite animal shelter.