Kathryn "Kay" Lila Vassar

Kay Lila Vassar passed away on August 20, 2024. She was pre-deceased by her son Ronald Robyn Vassar and survived by her husband Ronald Hugh Vassar and her son Michael Land Vassar. Kay was born in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, daughter of Wyche and Ethel Land.

She grew up in Roanoke Rapids and worked at Land Jewelers, the family business, and graduated from Roanoke Rapids High School. She attended St. Mary’s School and then pursued a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and graduated from the University of North Carolina. She taught high school Latin, French and English in Virginia Beach, Va. until 1970. In 1970 she married Ronald Hugh Vassar and then moved to Richmond, Virginia.

In 1972 she gave birth to Ronald Robyn Vassar who was born with a congenital, rare and life shortening muscular disease. Kay’s dedicated caregiving allowed Robbie to live beyond expectations for 7 years. In 1982, Kay became a mom again when Michael Land Vassar was born and adopted by Ron and Kay. Being a woman of deep Christian faith as well as a committed teacher she taught Sunday school at Immanuel Baptist Church for 30 years.

She renewed her teaching career by teaching high school French and Latin and became a leader in the Latin Club at Midlothian High School which traveled abroad. Once she concluded her teaching career she became a volunteer teacher of English as a Second Language at Sycamore Presbyterian Church for many years. She also was a leader in a women’s bible study group and fellowship where she enjoyed many wonderful relationships.

Kay was a caring, giving, spiritually-minded, joyful and vibrant individual who loved her Lord, her family, her friends, her students and all those she touched with her nurturing support and friendship. Kay met her Savior and Lord after a four-year battle with cancer. She was loved by all those she cared for and will be missed tremendously in the days and years to come.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorial gifts to the American Veteran’s Tribute Organization, P.O. Box 9469, Henrico, Virginia 23228.