Kay Lynn Harvey

Kay was a wonderful, funny and much loved mother, wife, sister, daughter, Nana, aunt, YA YA sister, friend to many as well as a well-respected journalist. Kay passed away Wednesday, August 17th, 2022 at Stonecrest Memory Care in Woodbury, Minnesota at the age of 76.

Kay was born October 10th, 1945, in Deshler, Nebraska. Her family moved to Superior, Nebraska where she graduated high school. She attended the University of Nebraska and in 1976 she graduated with degrees in English and Journalism. While working at the Omaha World-Herald, she met Gary Harvey who would become her second husband. The two were married on June 7th, 1980.

Kay, Gary and her two sons, Jon and Mark, moved to Woodbury, Minnesota where she began working at the Pioneer Press.

In her 26 years at the St. Paul Pioneer Press beginning in 1980, Harvey served as a features copy editor, a Wisconsin editor and a beat reporter who developed a deep interest in aging, mental health and women’s health. She was a fine writer with a special ability to get people to tell her meaningful stories about their lives. Among her notable projects was an in-depth series in 2000 about a woman in her 30s struggling with breast cancer who wanted a good death, and Harvey followed the story to its poignant end.

Pursuing those interests, she earned a master’s degree in human development from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota in 2003. After retiring in 2006, she taught memoir writing, did life coaching and wrote occasionally for MinnPost and other news organizations.

Described by colleagues as delightful, gracious and intelligent, she brought compassion and curiosity to every encounter, both professionally and personally. Kay dealt with this final challenge of Alzheimer’s disease by striving to understand and accept this as part of the human condition in her same gracious way throughout her illness.

She was an elegant writer, a connoisseur of food and wine, loved a good pizza party, and was the 'hostess with the mostess' to all friends and family; always making sure everyone was happy and had everything they needed before ever taking her own seat at the table. It was as easy for her to dress in a formal gown to attend an Oscar Party with her friends as it was for her to act silly with her granddaughters. She loved having a good time, and she loved her family - she especially loved being a Nana. She lived an active life and loved walking or running on a park trail, swimming at the beach and travelling. She genuinely loved meeting and getting to know people and their stories. Her generous spirit, big smile and infectious laugh made family, friends and strangers alike feel special and welcome.

Survived by her husband, Gary; brothers Tom (Margie) and Mike (Lynn); her son Jon; step-son Rand (Kelly); granddaughters Alyssa, Sarah and Sessahly; grandsons Brandon and Connor; great-grandchildren Kailey, Anthony, Pearl, Calder, Aeryn, Leta, Vaeda and Faye; beloved nieces and nephews; treasured YA YA sisters and many cherished friends. She was deeply loved and will be forever missed by many. Kay, your life was our blessing and you will never be forgotten.

Preceded in death by her parents George and Ruth Johnson and her son Mark Placke.

Celebration of life will be held on Saturday, August 27th at Wulff Funeral Home in Woodbury, Minnesota. Visitation will begin at 1pm and service will begin at 2pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer donations made in Kay's name to the Alzheimer’s Association.