KAY TAYLOR HOPKINS

HOPKINS, KAY TAYLOR After six years of an intensive battle, Kay died of her cancer afflictions. She peacefully passed away on March 15, 2011. She died with her husband and close friends in attendance. Kay had fought her affliction quietly, choosing not to engage others with her personal problems. To most people she appeared to be well and happy. Kay loved people and she liked to do what she could for her friends, associates and community. She was unselfishly dedicated to others. She was a dedicated devotee of the arts and enjoyed the theatre, opera and symphony. Kay was a fabulous listener - when she listened, you had her complete attention and she wouldn't allow anything else to interrupt her at that moment. She made others feel important - it was about them, not her. Aristotle stated that "Excellence is not an act, but a habit." Excellence was a part of every aspect of Kay's life. She was a wonderful daughter, wife and friend, worker and colleague. Kay was an exceptional leader and an extremely compassionate person. She had conviction, energy and drive, and she loved life. A friend once said of Kay that " she had energy for life that was something to behold." Kay was born in Concordia, Kansas, on June 22, 1941 as the only daughter of Dale and Eunice Taylor. She was the fourth generation of the Taylor family that immigrated to Kansas by wagon train after landing in New York from England following the U.S. Civil War. She attended school through high school in Concordia. Kay attended Saint Mary's College and Business College in Kansas. After graduation, she worked for the Menninger Clinic in Wichita for two years prior to beginning a flying career with United Airlines in 1965. She retired from United Airlines in 2000. Kay met her husband, Dr. G. Bruce Hopkins in 1965 in Seattle, Washington where she was based with United Airlines, and they were married in 1967. Kay and Bruce moved to San Diego in 1971 when Dr. Hopkins accepted a position here in pathology and nuclear medicine. Kay was always a supporter of San Diego based charities and civic organizations. She was active in the Globe Guilders of The Old Globe beginning in 1994 and served on many committees and held a variety of positions and chairmanships. In 1999 she was Chair of the Guilders' Oscar de la Renta Fashion Show, the Guilders major fundraiser for the Theatre. She was elected president of the Globe Guilders in 2002 and served for two years and received the Founder's Award in 2009 for her loyal and dedicated service. She also chaired fundraising events for Scripps Memorial Hospital including their Candlelight Ball. Kay was a strong and involved supporter of the San Diego Zoo and served for many years with the RITZ (Rendezvous-In-The-Zoo) including serving as the chairperson in 2000 for this significant fundraising event. Kay chaired the Annual Star Awards program for the San Diego Performing Arts League. She was also an active member of Clipped Wings, an organization of retired United Airlines flight attendants involved in different charitable activities. Kay received the honor of being named a "Woman of Dedication" by the Salvation Army in 2003 for her more than 30 years of volunteer service to the San Diego Community. Kay and her husband Bruce were actively involved in boating in San Diego and were members of San Diego Yacht Club where they made many long-term friends. They were also members of Catalina Island Yacht Club and cruised with their friends in the Southern California area. Bruce, and Kay's friends wish to thank Kay's doctors for their care of her. They are Dr. Robert M. Barone, Dr. Thomas A. Shiftan, Dr. Kalman E. Holdy, Dr. Ernest E. Pund, and also the Oncology Nurses, 1 West, Sharp Memorial Hospital. Kay is survived by her husband G. Bruce Hopkins, MD, and her cousin Dean Taylor of Sebastopol, California. She asked that any remembrances be given in her name to the Globe Guilders' Irma Macpherson Endowment Fund c/o The Old Globe, P.O. Box 122171, San Diego, CA. 122171, or The San Diego Zoological Society c/o Joanne Leidenberger, P.O. Box 120551, San Diego, CA. 92112-0551. Kay will be long remembered and loved by her husband, friends, colleagues and associates.