Kendreth A. Clay

Kyne was born on February 20, 1957, at Fitzsimmons Army Medical Hospital in Denver, Colorado. Her parents were Barbara Florence Hetrick and Sam Wainwright. Kyne grew up in Aurora, Colorado and Huntington Beach, California. Her favorite place to spend time as a girl was at her Grandma Florence’s house. She had many fond memories of adventures with her cousins, including piling into the car to go to Thrifty for ice cream.

In about 1978, Kyne met Roy Glenn Maddox while working as a waitress at a coffee shop at Stapleton Airport. Kyne was a single mom, raising a blonde-haired, brown-eyed little boy who could ride a bike like the wind. The two married and blended their family of five children and soon added a beautiful red-haired little girl of their own to the mix. The family lived in Meadowood Park in Aurora for decades.

Raising six kids in a blended family was never easy. Kyne went to work on the night shift loading boxes for UPS. The job took its toll on her shoulders, and after undergoing surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome, Kyne went to school at Colorado Aero Tech to get her airframe and powerplant license to work on airplanes. She could fix anything, and Roy encouraged her to go to school. She had to fight for a job, but she eventually became one of the first female airplane mechanics at United Airlines in Denver. She loved her job and her coworkers. She retired from United after 32 years, spending much of her later career working in FAA compliance.

Kyne and Roy divorced after about 20 years of marriage but remained steadfast friends. In about 1992, Kyne met Kenneth Clay, the love of her life, at work. Ken brought out the best in Kyne, and he opened his arms to her blended family. The two married, and Kyne moved to Thornton to be with him. Their home was always open to others, and she played a great role in the lives of her grandchildren. Kyne was beyond generous and would give anything she had to help someone in need. She was always willing to listen, was infinitely forgiving, and understood human frailties. She never judged.

In recent years, Kyne and Ken made the decision to retire early from their careers at United Airlines to share the blessing of raising their great grandsons, Ryder and Kodah. Kyne especially loved spending time with them away from home in their RV. She also loved the amazing community of neighbors and friends around them who made raising two little boys a little bit easier.

Kyne is survived by her husband, Kenneth Clay, and the two young great grandsons who marked a new chapter in their lives, Ryder and Kodah. She is also survived by her adult son, Jeremy Maddox (Miriah Clarke), and her step-children, Tracey Maddox (Kathi), Robyn Maddox Brody (Jonathan), and Rhonda Flynn. She is also survived by her beloved grandchildren, Mariah Hernandez Miller, Jaiselyn Hernandez, Annastyn Hernandez, Gio Hernandez, and Gia Hernandez, and her step-grandchildren, Allen Maddox (Hannah), Rachel Maddox Fleecs (Jacob), Mitchell Maddox (Amy), Leanne Maddox (Matt), Elizabeth Flynn, Jackson Brody, and Cooper Brody. Her great grandson King arrived shortly after her death. She is also survived by her siblings, George Law, Sam Wainwright Jr., and Samantha Wainwright. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Chrystalyn Maddox Hernandez, her parents, her step-father, George A. Law, and her brothers, Loren Law and Robert Law and Tommy Wainwright.

A celebration of life will be held on September 14, 2024 at 12:00 pm at Eagleview Elementary, 4601 East Summit Grove Parkway, in Thornton, Colorado. Family and friends are invited for an afternoon of fellowship and softball.