Kay Frances De Mars

Kay Frances De Mars passed away unexpectedly in Palm Desert, California on June 1, 2024, due to an acute cerebral hemorrhage.

Born on July 14, 1946, in Rice Lake, Wisconsin, Kay was the youngest of three daughters of Francis "Fritz" Peter Demars and Elaine Helen Etycheson. In 1952, the family moved to Longview, Washington, where Kay grew up with her sisters Nettie and Patricia ("Pat"), and cousin Cheryl. She attended Broadway Elementary and graduated from Mark Morris High School in 1964.

After a brief start at Western Washington College, Kay charted her course toward a life that would carry her across the globe. In 1969, she began what became a remarkable 39-year career with United Airlines (UA). Over the years, she served not only as a line flight attendant but periodically also took on professional development training assignments for UA, helping to shape the next generation of flight attendants. In the air, she advanced through progressively responsible roles as supervisor and, ultimately, Chief Purser, leading international crews on routes from Hong Kong to Sydney, Paris to Shanghai. Throughout, she was a mentor and beloved colleague, admired for her professionalism, kindness, and adventurous spirit. She retired in 2008.

Kay was twice married-first to Sidney Nordine, then to Clyde Douglas Bovee-and shared meaningful chapters of life with each. She also embraced long and rich friendships throughout her lifetime that provided much joy and mutual support through life's ups and downs.

Although her parents had not completed high school and higher education was never expected of her, Kay made it one of the great pursuits of her life. Despite years of detours, she proudly earned her Bachelor's degree from the University of Washington in 1990 at the age of 40-an achievement she considered one of her most significant milestones. That experience inspired her lifelong commitment to helping others access the life-changing power of education, beginning with her service on the UW Alumnae Board (Seattle), where she would later serve as its president.

After many years of living in Bellevue and Seattle, Kay moved to Palm Desert, California in 1997, where she embraced a full and vibrant new chapter of her life. She delighted in golf and community at the Oasis Golf and Country Club where she owned a home. For a time, Kay enjoyed welcoming guests to the Desert as a concierge at The Lodge Hotel. While still traveling for work, she was also able to blend her love for clothing and accessories into a small import business, Adornments International, sharing her finds with a wide network of friends. After retiring from United Airlines, she continued sharing her enthusiasm for style as a salesperson for a couple of different women's clothing boutiques in the Coachella Valley.

Through it all, Kay carried her philanthropic spirit, especially in support of women's educational scholarships. After moving to the Desert, she first lent her support to The Girlfriend Factor. Later, alongside fellow former UW Alumnae Board members in Palm Springs, Kay helped launch "Coffee and Conversations," which eventually blossomed into the "UW Desert Scholarship Luncheon," part of the University of Washington's annual "Dawg Days in the Desert."

In 2023, the University bestowed the Luncheon Committee with its Distinguished Alumni Award recognizing its lasting impact: a permanent scholarship endowment valued at nearly half a million dollars, providing scholarships for four undergraduate students each year. For more than a decade, Kay poured her passion and energy into co-chairing the luncheon with her dear friend and fellow alumna, Kay Smith Larsen. While ensuring others would have a smoother path to education than she once did was deeply important to her, the luncheon was also about more than scholarships. For Kay, it was about creating a circle of women who could connect, lift one another up, and together open doors to brighter futures.

In 2020, when the world was quieted by the COVID-19 pandemic, Kay embarked on a new kind of adventure-as a first-time dog owner. After much research, she welcomed Kizzy, a Golden Doodle puppy who quickly became a constant source of company, comfort and delight. Some might even say that Kizzy was the ultimate joy of Kay's life.

Kay will be remembered not only for her career and global travels, but also for her warmth, curiosity, and generosity of spirit. She found meaning in spiritual exploration, intentional personal growth, and community work; striving always to become a better version of herself and how she showed up for others. Kay believed deeply in the power of self-discovery and the gifts of community-qualities that carried her through both soaring adventures and quiet reflection, touching countless lives along the way.