Kathleen Dais

1951 - 2022

Kathleen "Kathy" Ann Carey Dais left this world on March 30, 2022. She was diagnosed in August 2020 with a glioblastoma brain tumor. The second of eight children, she was born January 7, 1951.
Kathy was a graduate of Lodi Union High School, class of 1969. She met Merlin Dais that same year, and they married on March 15, 1975. They welcomed two sons into the world, Branden in 1977, and Dustin in 1980.
Kathy began her love of working with money at Farmers and Merchants Bank from 1970 to 1980. During that time she held many positions including the
Supervisor of cashiers during the conversion of manual operations to computerized banking beginning in 1972. She left the banking business to raise her sons, and subsequently started after-school-care for their classmates and friends from 1980 to 1993. She took care of hundreds of kids through the years, many of whom were still keeping in touch with her.
She volunteered at Lakewood Elementary School, and was subsequently hired as an office assistant. Kathy was extremely active in school functions and fundraisers. She was honored with the Friend of Education Award, being nominated by principal Frank Garcia who described Kathy to perfection… "perpetual motion".
Kathy pursued her passion of bookkeeping, and was the Bookkeeper for many local businesses for the past 30 years. Churches, farmers, restaurants, truck drivers, friends, neighbors, family, and more, were in the best of financial care with Kathy at the helm. She taught many how to create a budget, and live by it.
When not working her Bookkeeping jobs, she worked tireless hours with Take Back Lodi trying to keep Lodi clean and presentable. She installed sprinkler systems for family and friends, organized your house when asked for her help, hauled firewood, volunteered at Needham School many years ago to organize excess books they were giving away, which made for an efficient distribution system. While her sons were at Lodi High, she noticed there wasn't a source of quick food at the school for students not wanting to use the cafeteria. She conferred with school leadership, was given an area at the school, and opened a store, completely operated by Kathy and Merlin, with proceeds going to student activities. All done for the benefit of others. Think of ANYTHING, Kathy was there in an instant to get it done, doing it for the sheer joy of helping people.
In the recent words of her many friends, Kathy was strong, determined, amazing, one-of-a-kind, generous, giving, a dynamo, enthusiastic, a mother to everyone, inspirational, dedicated, the backbone of every project, smart, wise, kind, capable, the ultimate get-er-done girl, driven, strong-willed, hardworking, a beacon of hope for those needing a place to stay until they got back on their feet, a woman that didn't let anything get in her way, and the person you went to to get the impossible done. She took on everything imaginable. Kathy had endless energy, like the Energizer Bunny.
She was the Reunion Committee Chairman for Lodi High Class of 69 for over 20 years, creating memorable events for her classmates.
Kathy loved to crochet. She made thousands of scarves, hats, blankets, hair bows, etc., and never asked for a cent in return, just gave them to people out of the love of making someone happy. She always took yarn and a needle when she traveled. On her trip to Japan, she made hats and scarves during the flight, and gave them to fellow passengers. Another favorite was gardening. She had, and her family will enjoy forever, gorgeous flowers, plants, and landscaping.
One other project dear to Kathy, and that got the whole family involved, was olives. Her late father-in-law, Elmer Dais, cured olives in the 80s, and Kathy decided to follow in his footsteps. She tracked down a recipe that replicated Elmer's olives, and for several years, Dais Olives was in full swing. It was a wonderful experience, and the olives were fabulous!
With Kathy as a sibling, or friend, you had a mentor, a never-ending supply of generosity and kindness, and a caring soul. She left an impression on everyone she met. Throughout her life, Kathy did everything in her power to help others, however she could.
Kathy leaves a huge mournful hole in the hearts of her husband, Merlin; sons, Branden (Angela) and Dustin (Becca); grandchildren, Taylor and Hannah Dais, Evan Dais, and Tayton, Kennedy, and Kade McCorstin; and her siblings, Sheryl Carey, Rebecca Carey LePine (Frank), Vicky Carey, Michael Carey (Linda), Stephen Carey (Terry); and Justine Willams (Alan) with whom she was best friends since childhood.
Nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews mourning her loss are Brian Monson (Stephanie, Parker, Emmaline), David Monson, Rachelle Randall (Ramon Mateo, Crash Porras, and Aaliyah Lomeli-Mateo), Jilliann Carey Lancaster (Brandon), Danielle Carey (Cody Travis), Zachary Carey (Emily, Andrew), and Chris Carey.
Kathy was preceded in death by her father, Thomas J. Carey; mother, Naomi J. Carey; sisters, Amy Carey Shell and Elizabeth Carey; and brother-in-law, Phil Frieders.
All are welcome to attend a Celebration of Kathy's Life at 11:00, on April 30, 2022, at Lifeline Church, 500 Park Street, Lodi, CA.