Holly Kay Delaunay

She was born on September 22, 1952, and was a resident of Happy Valley, Oregon.

Holly Kay Dustan, Laird, Delaunay Born 9/22/1952 - Died 3/5/2026

Holly started out life with some very unique challenges. She was born in Newport WA. She weighed one pound, 14 oz. She was a twin to Heather. The country doctor that tended to my Mom thought she was gaining too much weight and did not know she was pregnant with twins. He put her on a 1200 calorie diet. She was born 3 months premature, rare for the 1950’s. Heather survived only one day and they put Holly in an oxygen tent, not knowing it caused premies to go blind. She was in a Spokane hospital for 6 months and when she came home, her crib was a shoebox. In order for Holly to go to school she had to be sent away to the blind school in Vancouver WA My Mom said “no way”! She heard that Portland Public schools had an experimental mainstreaming program that allowed Holly to attend classes with sighted kids and had a private tutor to learn Braille and an abacus for math and how to use a typewriter. She excelled at OP Lent school and then attended and graduated from John Marshall HighSchool in Portland. But she was far from done yet, she decided to attend Oregon College of Education in Monmouth. OR. She graduated with two Bachelor degrees. And finished her four year degree in 3 years. She had planned to become a teacher and she was a student teacher in Salem Public Schools, but decided it was not for her and took a job with the Federal Government, Farmer’s Home Administration and also worked for Bonneville Power Administration until she retired.

Over the years she had seeing eye dogs, three is total. Her favorite was Jaeger a German Shepard.

Holly married Les Laird but later divorced. She met and married Jerry Delaunay. When she retired she and Jerry ran the Golden Hours radio program designed for shut-ins She was a disc jockey for country and western music. Later they ran Omni Media networks which were Internet Radio stations. In 2018 Jerry passed away and Holly lived alone and ran her household by herself.

As if blindness wasn’t a hurdle for her, she developed Multiple sclerosis in later life. If that was enough, she had both knees replaced. The replacements never allowed her to walk comfortably and she struggled to walk. In June of 2022, she had a minor stroke. She was unable to return to her home, She sold her home and went to Sellwood Senior Living. Where she was confined to a wheelchair. The staff provided compassionate care. She was provided meals. In January of 2026 she was hospitalized as her health deteriorated and she grew weaker, it was decided an Adult care home would be the best option. We found a fantastic home with a compassionate staff in Happy Valley, where she spent her final days. She decided not to have a memorial service. Holly loved the Fidelco seeing eye dog training service and we suggest donations be sent to Fidelco