Kay Jean Griswold (Clark) was born August 16, 1938 in Davenport, Iowa. After that event, she resided in Savanna, Illinois until her marriage to Jim Clark on July 4, 1959.

She graduated from Savanna High School in 1956 and Northern Illinois University in 1961. That year she began her 46 years as a much loved educator, first beginning as a Fifth Grade teacher in Dupo, Illinois and then ending her education career at Clinton Community College, in Clinton, Iowa where she was an instructor for over 22 years. There she taught English as a Second Language and established Adult Literacy Programs at several Community Colleges in Iowa.

After her retirement in 2007, she and Jim moved to Orcas Island, Washington where she was actively involved with The Orcas Island Senior Center and Orcas Island Historical Museum. She and Jim found such a loving and fun community spirit on Orcas island and their lives were enriched more than they ever could have expected.

Due to Kay’s increasing health difficulties, she and Jim then moved to Bellingham, Washington in 2011 to be closer to the assistance she needed.

In 2014 the physical difficulties she had experienced for several years were diagnosed as caused by Corticobasal Degeneration, a progressive brain disease. On January 15th, 2015, her body failed while her spirit lives on in the eternal presence of her beloved Savior, Jesus Christ.

She was a member of the Orcas Island Community Church and the Auxiliary of Gideons International.

She was a singer from childhood and as an adult dedicated her voice to praising God. Kay also was a very talented artist and enjoyed oil painting and sharing her poetry with friends and family. Her booming, jolly laugh was as big as her heart, and she loved opportunities to be the the hands and feet of Christ for those in need. Kay was a mother to numerous foster children throughout the years and an “honorary Mother/Grandmother” to so many who were drawn to her strong sense of guidance and love for God.

She is survived by her husband Jim, sisters Barbara Gillogly(Robert) and Mary Shaw(Bert), brothers Robert(Alice) and Charles, daughters Nellie Gregory(Scott) and Sarah Clark and foster son Quang Van Doan(Houng); nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents Earl and Dorothy LaBarr Griswold and one grandchild.

Please join us as we remember Kay in a memorial service held at Orcas Island Community Church Sunday, Oct. 4 at 1 p.m.

Memorials may be made to Orcas Island Community Church and The Gideons International.