Kay Simonson Waterbury

WATERBURY -- Jean Kay Simonson (Kay), of East Hampton, NY, died peacefully at home, on February 2, 2023 at the age of 94, surrounded by her family. Born April 7, 1928, Kay was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry J. Simonson of New York City. She attended the Convent of the Sacred Heart at 91st Street in New York, and Manhattanville College, where she graduated with a masters in Social Work.

Kay's Catholic faith was her guiding light throughout her life. She was dedicated to serving others and was involved in many causes, including Alzheimer's, Homelessness, Alcohol Addiction and Adoption. While living in Manhattan, Kay ran a men's homeless shelter, spending many nights on site, and later mentoring many of the men from the shelter. In her retirement years in Vermont, she and her husband, Monty, took in troubled teens who needed temporary housing. Everywhere she went, service to others was the foundation of her life.

Kay balanced service with a joy of life, family and friends. She loved dancing and music, enjoyed hosting evenings at home, had a passion for international travel, and had a lifelong interest in gardening (which led to a long time membership in the East Hampton Garden Club). She was an enthusiastic golfer and an avid reader. She could converse on any topic with great authority.

Above all, Kay was a devoted wife and mother. She is survived by her five loving children (Jim and Linda Waterbury, Hope and Jimmy Fischer, Christine Waterbury, Carol and Vincent Quinlan, Sue and Jamie Rose), her five grandchildren (Lindsay, Emily, Katie, Ciera and Kelly), her cherished sister, Joan Sheridan, and her oldest and dearest friends, Dickie Cummins and Joan Markey. She was pre-deceased by her beloved husband of 56 years, James M. (Monty) Waterbury.

A private Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated with the extended family.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF), or the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.