Catherine Drolet Spicer

December 20, 1936 - March 25, 2025

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Catherine (Kay) Drolet Spicer at the age of 88. After more than a year of battling lung cancer, the Lord brought Kay home to Him, and she passed peacefully with her children by her side.

Kay was born in Detroit, Michigan, on December 20, 1936, to Walter Bertram Drolet and Catherine Hodge Drolet. Kay was the second eldest of five children. She was preceded in death by her siblings: Walter Bertram (Kay) Drolet Jr., Judith Ann (Jerome) Neyer, and Patricia Mary (Ted) Huesing. She is survived by her sister, Susan Jane (Paul) Dunn.

Kay had a happy post World War II upbringing. She graduated from Immaculata High School in Detroit in 1955, and while teaching and taking college courses over the next five years, she graduated cum laude from the University of Detroit in 1960. At U of D, Kay was an active member of the Theta Phi Alpha Sorority. While registering for classes, Kay met James Patrick Spicer (Jim), and they eventually married in November 1960. Together Jim and Kay launched their careers: Jim in manufacturing management with General Motors, and Kay as an elementary and middle school teacher.

Over the next 15 years, Kay and Jim had five children. They moved to five different states with each General Motors promotion, and Kay turned every house into a home. They eventually landed in Diablo in 1975. In 1978, Jim was offered another promotion, which involved yet another relocation. Kay and Jim decided that the allure of California and family stability were more important, and they made the difficult decision to leave GM. That choice, after some struggle, eventually proved fruitful.

In 1979, Kay went back to teaching and taught 7th and 8th grade history and English at St. Perpetua's in Lafayette and at All Saints in Hayward until 1997. She kept in contact with many of her students, and they are forever grateful for the impact "Mrs. Spicer" made on their lives. It's said that "a teacher affects eternity," and Kay epitomized just that.

Kay said that if you have one true friend, you have more than your share, and she was very grateful to have many, especially throughout her 50 years of living in Diablo. In addition to family and teaching, Kay loved to play golf, tennis, and bridge, and to socialize at Diablo Country Club. An avid bridge player, Kay would say that even a bad day at the bridge table is always better than cleaning the house.

Her Catholic faith was paramount, and Kay was very active in St. Isidore's parish, most notably teaching catechism and serving in various capacities to help those in need.

Kay grieved the loss of her beloved husband, Jim, in June of 2022, and she and Jim grieved the loss of their son, James Patrick Spicer Jr. (Jimmy), in 1969. She is survived by her children Anne Poirier, Mary Spicer, Christine (Mark) Vranesh, and Patrick (Bridget Kavanagh) Spicer, and by her grandchildren Megan, Nick and Hannah Poirier, Joe, Matt and Lizzie Vranesh, and Jack and James Spicer. In true Kay Spicer fashion, she was imparting wisdom to her grandchildren until her last days, for which they'll always remember and be grateful. She was also a beloved aunt to many nieces and nephews.

Kay's familiar mantra "It's better to overbid than underbid," applied not only to her favorite game of bridge but spilled over into her life as well.

The funeral Mass for Kay will be held on Monday, April 21, 2025, at 10:30 am at St Isidore Church, 440 La Gonda Way, Danville, CA 94526. Kay will later be laid to rest next to Jim in a private interment service at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Lafayette, CA.

In lieu of flowers, please feel free to donate to your favorite charity or choose from one of Kay's favorites:

Kay's daughter, Mary's, cause: I Heart Oakland-Alameda Estuary https://iheartoaklandalamedaestuary.com/#donate

St Vincent de Paul of Contra Costa County: https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E347699&id=4

Truth Initiative/Anti-tobacco for youth and young adults:

https://truthinitiative.org/donate