Kathleen Emery Strickland Lord

1930 - 2020

Kathleen Emery Strickland Lord

Kathleen Emery Strickland Lord passed quietly at home on the morning of December 1, 2020. Born to Phyllis and Chester Strickland of Stoneham, Massachusetts in 1930, she spent all of her younger years between there and with her family in Maine. Kay would be laughing at the irony of being born during the Great Depression and dying during a pandemic.

Kay graduated from Stoneham High School in 1948, and then earned an Associate's degree in Secretarial Trade from Fischer Junior College in 1950. At about this time she met the love of her life, Edwin L. Lord, Jr from West Medford, MA. They married in 1953 and left their New England roots for Wilmington, Delaware, where Ed was hired by the Dupont Company.

Kay and Ed would spend the next 47 years together in Wilmington and Hockessin where Kay began raising a family of three boys, Edwin L. Lord III, Jonathan B. Lord and Martin L. Lord. Besides being survived by her sons, she leaves her daughters in law, Benita Lord, and Susan Lord; four beloved grandchildren, Nathaniel Lord, Ian Lord, Kaitlyn Lord, and Hunter Lord; her dear Maine cousins Judy Campbell, Sherry Dec and Cindy Larabee, who called her "Big Sis".

Kay spent most of her adult life volunteering and serving her communities. Starting with the Girl and Cub scouts in Delaware, she was actively involved with her church, PTA, and other community groups. She was most proud of her work with the Historic Red Clay Valley, Inc., and the Delaware Council on International Visitors. Her work with DELCIV consisted of greeting and making arrangements for foreign visitors to the area, often letting them stay in her home. Kay also served on the local board of adjusters, the New Castle County board of elections, and the Police Advisory Board of New Castle County. She greatly enjoyed getting to know the local police departments.

After the death of her husband, Kay moved to Vermont and began another chapter of her life. She began attending the Covenant Community Church in Essex, VT. It was here that she met many dear friends. Besides her involvement with her church, she volunteered for the Champlain Valley Agency on Aging, helping with Senior meals, and driving shut-ins to appointments and errands. She will be most remembered for baking birthday cakes for every senior at the meals. She leaves many friends and acquaintances. She especially loved her dear friend Peggy Eiss and her semi-adopted son, Fred Pond.

She also wanted to give thanks to Dr. John King, and the staff of the Milton Family Health Center. She connected with the Colchester Police Department who would call every morning to check on her. Kay's family would like to acknowledge the amazing work of the nurses and staff of the UVM Home, Health and Hospice Service who made her final days so comfortable and peaceful.

Kay leaves a big empty spot in our lives and will be greatly missed. She was very strong-willed, opinionated, outspoken and at times exasperating. She also was loving, kind, dedicated and generous to a fault. She cared about everyone she met.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the UVM Health Network, Hospice & Palliative Care, 1110 Prim Rd., Colchester, VT, or your favorite charity. We hope to have a celebration of Kay's life in the spring or summer, once it is safe to gather.

Arrangements are in care of the Ready Funeral & Cremation Service. To send online condolences to her family please visit www.reradyfuneral.com.