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Helen Kay Obituary
Kay, 77
LONG ISLAND -- Helen A. Rosengren Kay, 77, of Long Island, passed away on Thursday, Oct. 21, 2010, at home after a long, courageous battle against uterine cancer.
She was born on Dec. 14, 1932, in Philadelphia, Pa., the daughter of the late Helen and Gustave Harold Rosengren, and was a resident of Norwood, N.J., before retiring to Long Island in 1998. She was a pianist and soprano that attended Juniata College and the Curtis School of Music.
She was predeceased by her husband and cellist, Richard Kay of the Metropolitan Opera; her parents; her brother, Captain Harold Rosengren, and a baby brother, Robert. She leaves behind her daughter and son-in-law, Erika and Frank Giannini and their daughter Faith of Wethersfield, Conn.; son, Victor Kay and sons Victor and Danny of Cumberland; and daughter and son- in-law, Jenny and John Shusta and their daughters Megan and Sydney of York. In addition, she leaves behind two sisters-in law, Phyllis and Patricia Kay of New York, N.Y.; her nephews, David and Sally Rosengren of New Hartford, and Roger and Barbara Rosengren of New Rochelle, N.Y., and their children; and her beloved cat, Sneakers.
Helen was a master music teacher, and taught in the Closter and Alpine Schools in New Jersey for 32 years. She continued to volunteer and teach music for the Long Island School, and served as Choir Director, pianist, lay leader and active member of the Evergreen Methodist Church, as well as running the church's Gift Shop on Long Island.
While teaching in New Jersey, she was the Soprano Soloist at Dr. Norman Vincent Peale's Marble Collegiate Church in NYC, and was also in the Met Opera Extra Chorus, and sang in operas such as Aida many times. She served as President of the Long Island Civic Association for eight years, and served as president and recording secretary of the Historical Society.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 28, at First Parish Unitarian Church, Congress Street, Portland, and burial will be at 3:30 p.m. on Long Island. Arrangements are under the guidance of Independent Death Care, 660 Brighton Ave., Portland. To offer words of condolence, sign a guest book, and share memories, go to the obituary page at www.independentdeathcare.com.
In lieu of flowers, please consider
a donation to either Hospice of Southern Maine, the Animal Rescue League of Westbrook, or the Long Island Civic Association.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Helen Kay
5 Entries
December 23, 2010
I was a counselor at Camp Merestead . I had not seen her or have had direct contact with Helen for many many years. I must share the following: This summer I found some pictures of our wonderful days at Merestead. Pictures that had been in storage for a very long time. I wanted to contact Helen and have had her on my mind ...this morning I searched the webb for her and found the obituary. Any one who had contact with Helen would know her has a sweet conforting and very talented woman.l I remember her singing and how much it meant for all of us. SHe was a good friend . A beautiful soul.
November 8, 2010
To "Miss Helen's family": She was my counselor at Camp Merestead in Camden, Maine, for four years, and I just loved her. She was gentle, fair and kind. On rainy afternoons, when we had rest hour indoors, she sang for us, accompanied by Mrs. Briggs, from the Curtis Institute. Miss Helen's Danny Boy was, to me, the definitive version of the song. There will never be another as good. She also was the consummate Yum Yum in our production of The Mikado. To this day, I think of her often.
My love to you all,
Kate LeBoutillier O'Neill
November 8, 2010
An unusually talented musician; a straightforward,cheerful, caring classmate; and a respected friend. Helen,we will miss you. Rest in peace. Dick Armstrong, GFS Class of 1950
Pat Lerch
October 26, 2010
Dear Erika, Frank and Faith,
Thank you for sharing a part of your mom's story with those of us who didn't have a chance to know this most gifted and accomplished lady. I'm so sorry for your loss. Please accept my sincerest condolences.
Sherry Oliver
October 26, 2010
We will miss you Helen, Your family is in my prayers and thoughts at this time of loss. May God hold and support them through this difficult time,
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