Our beloved mother, grandmother and friend, Katherine "Kay" Virginia Hutchison Alexander, 84, was called home by the Lord on January 27, 2013.
Kay was born April 28, 1928 in Crete, NE to Frances Lillian Hole and David Glen Hutchison, the oldest of three daughters. The family moved from Crete to Boulder, CO in 1941 where Kay attended Casey Jr. High and graduated from Boulder High school in 1946. She was an academically gifted student and class leader. She was voted Head Girl her senior year and was Worthy Advisor of The Order of Rainbow Girls. She attended the University of Colorado earning academic honors by being inducted into Hesperia Junior Honor Society, Pi Sigma Alpha, the National Political Science Honor Society, and the Mortar Board National Honor Society her senior year. She graduated from CU in 1950 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Affairs and she was a proud member of Chi Omega sorority.
Kay married her college sweetheart William "Bill" Alexander on September 4, 1950. She worked as a telephone representative supporting Bill while he finished his degree at the University of Denver. Upon his graduation (1951) they moved to Salt Lake City, UT and then to La Cañada, CA. An opportunity with Continental-Emsco brought Kay and Bill to Dallas in 1957, where they remained for 35 years. Their three children were born in Dallas, Ross in 1958, Betsy in 1961 and Molly in 1964. In 1967, Kay survived a brain aneurysm.
Kay was actively involved in the Dallas community serving in many volunteer activities including but not limited to the Presbyterian Women Circles, book clubs, PTA, Girl and Boy Scouts, political campaigns and the church choir. Kay and Bill had numerous friends and together they enjoyed their bridge clubs, dinner clubs and weekend outings to Lake Dallas, Jefferson and other small towns. Her love of history and architecture led her to Old City Park in Dallas were she was an active docent and became a staunch supporter of historic preservation. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution; and she loved the arts enjoying museums, theater, symphony and ballet.
For 66 years, Kay was an active member of the PEO Sisterhood having been initiated into her mothers chapter, Chapter CZ in 1947. She was a member of Chapter Q, Salt Lake City, UT, Chapter OM, La Canada, CA, Chapter BZ, Dallas, Chapter GA Kerrville and was a charter member of Chapter HM Kerrville. She loved all of her PEO sisters and served as President and other officer positions many times over the years as well as other volunteer roles. Kay was very proud to be part of a sisterhood that was so passionate about its mission: promoting educational opportunities for women. Both her daughters are PEOs as well.
Kay was involved in her church community wherever they lived, including the Presbyterian Church of La Canada, Westminster Presbyterian and Preston Hollow Presbyterian churches in Dallas, and First Presbyterian Church, Kerrville. She was active in Presbyterian Women Circles, taught Sunday school, sang in the choir, was a member of the Seekers club and volunteered whenever asked. In Kerrville she became actively involved in Christian Assistance Ministry (CAM) of Kerrville as a volunteer helping those in need.
Kay and Bill were avid travelers. Every year they took their children on a road trip throughout the United States. Fond memories for all, by the time the kids were grown they had visited nearly every state in the continental United States. These adventures broadened their love of history and the great outdoors. Kay traveled with Bill accompanying him on business trips to Great Britain, Europe and Mexico. They also had beautiful memories from their trips and cruises to Alaska, the Panama Canal and Hawaii.
From 1994-1998, Kay and Bill served, during the summer months, as National Forest Service Volunteers in Colorado, Virginia and Florida. They worked hard building trails, cleaning campsites and greeting arriving campers. From 1998-2003, Kay and Bill put several thousand miles on their Suburban and Silverstreak trailer working for AGS Guest Guide, selling advertising space in campground brochures around the country. After each job, they spent time sightseeing, visiting Civil War battlefields, presidential libraries and the scenic wonders of our beautiful country.
Kay's passions were wide and varied and included travel, geography, reading, politics, women rights and issues, history - specifically British and American history, PBS programs particularly Masterpiece Theater and NPR programs such as Click & Clack and A Prairie Home Companion. She had a life-long love affair with reading and she also enjoyed needlework and sewing, making many of her girls clothes when they were young. Kay loved nature, supported environmental issues and always had annual parks passes to the Texas State Parks as well as the National Parks. She was considered the family genealogist and historian. She was a resource in so many ways, her mind was sharp, she was bright and not only would her kids call for information and ideas; her grandkids would call frequently for help with school history projects. She had a beautiful soprano voice, singing in her church choir and she dearly loved spending time with her family and friends.
Kay was a strong, beautiful, kind and loving individual whose outlook on life was always positive no matter what came her way and she always had a smile on her face.
Kay is preceded in death by her husband Bill of 59 years, her parents, and sister Mary Wood.
She is survived by son Ross Alexander and wife, Suzanne, of Beaumont, Texas; daughter Betsy Alexander Colter and husband, Bert, of Carrollton, Texas; daughter Molly Alexander and partner Gary Luedecke of Elgin, Texas. She is also survived by her grandchildren Alex, Colin and Emily Colter; and step-grandchildren Barrett Alexander and Joey Miller, Jr. and wife Amanda and great grandson Colby Miller, her sister Carol Drew and husband Bob of Arvada, CO, special cousin George Day and many other family and dear friends.
A memorial service celebrating her life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, February 16, 2013, in the sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church of Kerrville, 800 Jefferson Street. A reception will follow in Ryan Hall.
Memorial contributions in Kays honor can be made to Christian Assistance Ministry (CAM) of Kerrville, First Presbyterian Church of Kerrville Stephen Ministry, a PBS station of your choice, or a donation to a fund you believe supports Kays passions.
