Mary "Kay" Parke

April 7, 1924 - August 30, 2011

Mary Kathryn “Kay” Hayden Parke was born in Benjamin, Missouri to Ben and Hazel Higbee Hayden on April 7, 1924 and was one of six children. She grew up in Missouri and graduated from Canton High School in 1942. She worked for awhile in St. Louis. Due to WWII, the family moved to California in 1943 and Kay has lived in San Bernardino County since that time.

Kay, 87, is survived by her husband of 49 years, Ernest K. Parke; a sister Helen Stewart of Thousand Oaks, CA; a brother and sister in law Kermit & Dorothy Hayden of Bloomington, CA; sister in law Georgia Hayden of Colton, CA; a cousin Evie Anderson of Loma Linda, CA and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her brothers B.J. Hayden, Kenneth Hayden and sister Jackie Bayne.

After a severe stroke at age 27 she invented herself and was very successful as a Bookkeeper and Financial secretary for many years. She worked for the San Bernardino City Schools and at San Gorgonio High School until she retired. She and Ernie have traveled and cruised throughout the world to more than 60 countries.

Kay was a 50 year member of the Eastern Star, a life member of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), a member of the National Society Colonial Dames XVII Century, CSEA, and the San Bernardino Elks Club.

Services will be held at Montecito Memorial Park and Mortuary, 3520 E. Washington St., Colton, CA with the viewing on Monday, September 5th from 4 to 8 p.m. and the memorial service on Tuesday, September 6th at 10 a.m.

Arrangements under the direction of Montecito Memorial Park & Mortuary, Colton, California.