Katherine S. Gano

Kay (Katherine) Gano, age 103 of Yakima passed away on November 24, 2013. She was born August 1, 1910, to Ethel and Delbert Gillette in Ahtanum, Washington. She attended Ahtanum Grade School and Yakima High School. After high school, she went to Yakima Business College, graduating 2 years later. Kay was very active throughout her life, mainly as a wife and mother. But she was also well known for her award-winning flowers and flower arrangements, especially chrysanthemums.

Kay married Jay H. Gano, the love of her life, November 27, 1932, and together they raised four sons. They joined the United Methodist Church in 1942, where she was involved in the Altar Guild and the United Methodist Women’s Club.

Also in 1942, Kay joined the Yakima Garden Club and was a member for over 70 years. She was president of this club twice and District Director of the Washington State Garden Clubs in the Yakima area. She also joined the Yakima branch of the National Chrysanthemum Society and was president for many years.

In addition, she was a member of the Sorosis Club, which led to the creation of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs. She was a charter member of the Gladys Gano Hale Guild at Yakima Memorial Hospital and an early member of the Yakima Area Arboretum, and the Yakima Valley Museum.

In addition to being active square dancers for 20+ years, Kay and Jay were active members of the Sunshine Sams, a Good Sam club, where they enjoyed campouts and travels with many friends and fellow Good Sammers. They traveled extensively for 16 years, wintering in Yuma, Arizona.

After Jay passed away in 2005, Kay remained involved in church and club activities, as well as gardening, pinochle, and family gatherings. She drove her car until she was 98 and rode her exercise bike until she was 102+.

Kay is survived by four sons; Don (and special friend, Eunice Koeppe) of Yakima, Jan & Judy of Yakima, Dean & Mary of Richland, and Ken & Sue of Kennewick. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren, as well as former daughter-in-law Connie Gano of Phoenix, AZ.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 72 years, Jay; her parents; her brothers, Cliff and Ron; and daughter-in-law, Josephine.

She will be missed more than words can ever hope to express, and all who knew her and loved her were touched by her kind, caring, and loving way.

In lieu of flowers, her family is requesting that donations be made to the United Methodist Women’s Club or the Yakima Area Arboretum.

A funeral will be held at 10AM Monday, December 2, 2013 at Wesley United Methodist Church on South 48th and Chestnut avenues. Viewing will be at Keith and Keith Funeral Home on West Yakima Avenue from noon to 5 PM on Sunday, December 1, 2013.

Many thanks to the wonderful caregivers at the Summitview Health Center – there are angels among us!