Katherine C. (Miles) Washburn, better known to her friends as Kay, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday, April 4, 2022, at the age of 91.  Kay's final days were spent under the excellent care of the staff at Holyoke Hospital where she passed away peacefully with her family and pastor by her side.

Kay was born in Holyoke to the late Edwin and Katherine (Goss) Miles.  Her loving husband, Homer D. Washburn, died in 2004 after 54 years of marriage. She leaves behind her son Duncan and wife Gwen of Springfield, daughter Kathy Washburn and husband Tim O'Donnell of South Hadley, four granddaughters: Jahnna and husband Brian Kazak, Rachel and husband Brad Murphy, Gabraelle Washburn, and Leslie and husband Josh Clark, her great grandchildren: Kendall, Adeline, Colette, Luella and Alston, her sister-in-law Gertrude Miles and her nephew John Miles.  She was pre-deceased by her younger brother John Miles in 2011.  Lastly, she leaves behind 3 great-grandpuppies.

Kay spent most of her life being of service to others. After graduating from Westfield State Teachers' College, she taught 4th grade for 25 years in Granby, MA, retiring in 1993.  She spoke fondly of her days as an educator and would often recount stories of her time in the classroom.  She kept track of her students, enabling her to send each one a graduation card upon completing high school.

Not only did Kay dedicate her life to teaching, but she was actively involved in many organizations.  She was a member of the Mass Teachers Association, the South Hadley Women's Club, the United Methodist Women's Club and the South Hadley Women's Bowling League. In addition, she volunteered at Neighbors Helping Neighbors (a food pantry), Food for Friends (weekend delivery for Meals on Wheels) and every month she made 2 casseroles for Kate's Kitchen.  In her senior years, Kay volunteered at the South Hadley Council on Aging teaching a beginners' course on computer use.  Every month she sent out cards of encouragement to six people as part of Angels without Wings.  Along with her cards, she made monthly calls to many in order to see how they were doing.  She knitted and crocheted, making gloves, scarves and blankets; she did needlepoint tissue box coverings, all of which she gave away.

Kay took great joy in simple fun.  She enjoyed playing cribbage with her husband, Homer, competing for a penny per game won.  Daughter Kathy and granddaughter Leslie speak of the delight the three had playing cribbage together even up to the last week of her life. As she got older, Kay enjoyed computer Solitaire, coloring, jigsaw puzzles, and the daily Gazette word search and crossword puzzle. Kay and Homer enjoyed traveling around New England; after her husband passed away, she journeyed to places like Puerto Rico and Washington DC with her daughter and Oregon with her daughter and granddaughter Rachel.

Kay was a die-hard Red Sox fan.  While watching games with her granddaughter Gabraelle, she cheered for them.  Kay would yell at the TV, coaching them, especially her favorite player Rafael Devers.  When the Sox weren't playing, she and Gabraelle enjoyed watching Family Feud before bed.  On the more serious side, she watched Meet the Press every Sunday.  She enjoyed bowling with her friends in more than one league.  Granddaughter Jahnna was blessed to join her summer league and bowled with her for over 10 summers.

Kay found joy in such things as nature, food, getting her hair and nails done, and yes, scratch tickets.  She loved watching the birds that came to her feeders, and was able to identify most kinds that visited; she passionately defended her feeders from pesky squirrels (no harm came to any squirrel)!  She even stood out in the cold with outstretched gloved hand full of seeds, feeding birds that came to her.

Kay and her granddaughter Rachel, shared a love for sweet treats, especially chocolate and caramel.  Whether it was a Heath Bar, Klondike Bar, Caramel Nips or other delicious morsel, she did not discriminate!

Kay cherished the time she had with her children, their spouses and children.  She also had a special place in her heart for her furry great-granddoggies.  The family regularly gathered at her house to celebrate special moments in life.  She never forgot to send a birthday or Christmas card and even sent cards to her family on Valentine's Day, Easter and Anniversaries.  Kay was an avid reader and found pleasure in buying books each birthday and Christmas for the children of Rachel and Leslie.

In addition to her family, Kay had many 'friends' throughout the Pioneer Valley.  One special individual was Nate, her mailman.  Every day she would wait by the window for him to arrive.  She knew his schedule and habits and was always blessed to see him.  As a mother, she worried about him when he did not show - thinking his knee finally wore out or that he was sick.  She had a special place in her heart for her neighbors, the Johnsons and their granddaughter Autumn.  She was also very generous with her funds to many that were in need.

The family would like to thank some individuals for their years of friendship, companionship and help.  Mr. Kenny Williams, a long time friend of Homer and Kay, would call her every week for 18 years after Homer died, making sure she was all right.  Claire Long and Carol Deren were her closest friends for many years.  Dr Glen Bombardier served her for many years as her primary care doctor.  Pastors Peter and Joe of the United Methodist Church (UMC) of SH, ministered lovingly her.

Finally, Kay loved the Lord.  If you would have stopped by her house in the morning as she 'hopped' out of bed, you would have found her reading her Bible and a few daily devotions including Mornings with Jesus and The Upper Room.  She also enjoyed reading Guideposts Magazine. She was an active member of the UMC of South Hadley where she exemplified what it means to be Christ-like.  She wore many hats in her church over the years doing such things as preparing communion, updating the bulletin, collecting the offering and making food for events.  Kay lived for fellowship.  When Covid interrupted in-person attendance at church, she learned how to Zoom so she wouldn't miss a sermon.  Kay was so very proud of both Duncan and Kathy as they, like her, have a passion for Jesus Christ and others.

Kay has left behind a legacy of generosity, gentleness, kindness and love.  Her family and friends, have been blessed to be a part of her life.  Her family hopes to be able to live their lives as she did, living for their Savior Jesus Christ.

In lieu of flowers the family is requesting any donation be made to "Neighbors Helping Neighbors" - https://www.nhnfoodpantry.org/ .  This food pantry is housed in Kay's church for which she volunteered from its inception until she could no longer physically help.

Memorial service: Saturday, April 23, at 4 PM at the United Methodist Church of South Hadley followed by a celebration of life gathering in the church reception hall.  We plan to Zoom the service.  If you want to join via Zoom, please contact Duncan at dwgwjwgw@hotmail.com for the link.