Mary Kathryn "Kay" Gorman

1942 - 2025

Arlington - Mary Kathryn Gorman (nee Beyeler) born January 23rd, 1942 in Ponca, Nebraska graced the gates of heaven on September 5th, 2025 fully prepared to reorganize it.

Kay (or Mom, Momma, Gramma Kay, Auntie Kay), as she was lovingly known to everyone, was preceded in death by her husband and beloved travel partner of 50 years, Mike Gorman, parents Jack and Lucille Beyeler, and sister Connie Brown.

Kay is survived by her two daughters, Monica Gorman (Scot Barton) and Michelle Harper (Maureen MacKenzie), grandchildren, Tasha Beyeler Ray (Dennis Wilcutts), Carston (the favorite, or so he thinks), and Cayden Hayes (lawn mower extraordinaire), sister Jackie Faulkner, several nieces, nephews, cousins, and "bonus" family including Dana Anderson, Jeffery Nix, and Mary Susan Tucker-Rheinschmidt.

Kay demonstrated her love through what she felt you needed, whether it was worry, food, good advice, or a stern correction followed by a loving smile or a shake of her head - it was all coated in love.

She participated in all of our lives in ways that were just right for us. Whether it was an unyielding blow of the whistle or megaphone to stand (at) on the wall at Church Creek or a welcoming greeting on your 1st day of school at Utsalady Elementary, she was there. A weak cup of morning coffee, a walk around Ligurta Station, a glass raised at cocktail hour(s), a competitive round of Tuesday golf, 10 years of Thursday comfort dinners, weekends filled with Wine Whore tours or garage sale finds, Kay was there. Kay was up for all games - including rousing family Cards against Humanity that she usually won - not knowing most of the cards and making it all the more entertaining.

Kay curated family comfort foods like camping burritos, pork noodles, meatloaf, fried pork chops and gravy that left you feeling truly loved and stuffed. Her potato salad was a must at all summer gatherings. Mike, Monica and Michelle never had a lunch that didn't include a couple of homemade cookies. And her fluffy, over buttered, over salted popcorn was a mouthwatering treasure. She always had cookies for her grandkids, neighborhood kids, or anyone around.

Kay maintained a pristine home with family touches in every corner, like family photos and local art coloring the walls, and a flower garden including yard art that Martha Stewart would envy. She had a home that welcomed everyone who walked through her doors.

As a world-class spoiler of her grandchildren and their dogs, she played the role of camp cook and community Grandma Kay. She loved watching her grandsons and friends wrench away in the driveway on their car projects and at times saw Papa Mike by their side.

Kay's words of love, encouragement and advice (often unsolicited) will continue to ring through our ears and hearts. Unforgettable sayings like, "Now, I know this is going to piss you off but..." or "Jesus Christ MICHELLE!" Corrections made, "God dammit Gorman!" and "I raised you girls better than that!" Secrets shared, "sweet relish, not dill...just do it!" Confessions made during her last rights, "I hate Trump and I cuss a lot."

But, of all her sayings, her, "I love you more" will be missed the most.

A Celebration of Life will be held October 4th 12p - 4pm at Floyd Norgaard Center, 27130 102nd Ave NW, Stanwood, WA

In leu of flowers please donate to https://www.kuow.org/