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Kay MacDermott Obituary

Kay Tipton MacDermott of Douglaston, New York, daughter of Kay Tipton and Estelle Reynolds Tipton, passed away on March 24, 2025 at the age of 89 following complications of a stroke suffered in Fall of 2024. Born in St. Louis, Missouri and raised in Madison, Georgia, she spent all her adult life in New York, ultimately settling in Douglaston, Queens in the home she occupied for over 60 years. Kay was a graduate of Duke University and Columbia Law School. She retired in 2000 after a long career as Assistant District Attorney in the Queens DA's office. In her retirement, she loved nothing more than her walks around the point with its view of the Throgs Neck Bridge, her swims in Little Neck Bay at the Dock, and to spend time at her beloved home in Sea Pines on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

An ardent lover of theatre, travel and supporting causes that mattered to her, she devoted much of her retirement years to volunteering and supporting Star of the Sea, among many others, to help those less fortunate. She traveled often into Manhattan to see the latest on Broadway, and was still making exotic trips even into her late 80's with an African safari. She played bridge weekly and continued to socialize with her large circle of friends and acquaintances.

Kay is survived by her three children, Ian, Laura and Thomas Mackenzie; grandchildren, Harrison, Katie and Christian Steins, Andrei and Kelly Mackenzie and her two sisters, Ellen Harrison (Jimmy) and Mary Tipton, her nieces and nephews and their children.

Kay's first marriage to Donald Mackenzie ended in divorce. She later married Malcolm MacDermott, who predeceased her in 2006. Her two step children, Evan MacDermott (Donna) and Kathy Luckasiwiez (John) and their children and granddaughter survive her as well.

A service will be held at Zion Episcopal Church, Douglaston New York.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Morgan County Citizen on Mar. 27, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
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Jo Akins

July 14, 2025

Ellen, I was so sorry to learn of Kay's passing. We enjoyed renewing our friendship over the past years by meeting in Savannah in the winter or spring when she was at Hilton Head. I sensed something had happened when she told me about her fall. But we have had a trying time during the recent couple of years. We had a fire at our home and then a flood








Ellen, if you see my message I would love to receive a call from you. 912-682-1607. I was so sorry to hear of Kay's passing. We have enjoyed renewing our friendship over the past decade by meeting in Savannah once a year when she came to Hilton Head. I willl miss those fun times. My deepest sympathy to all of the family.

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