GLENS FALLS --- Wednesday evening Kay was released from her struggle with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, a degenerative brain disease which she has boldly lived with for too many years.

Born September 10th 1934 to Carroll Walker Kelley and Martha Pauline (Eaton) Kelley (Burden) in Denver Colorado, she attended both public school as well as Gerry and Margy O'Niels personality school which was a school for theatre. She performed in three productions in Denver at Elith's Garden theatre. She was a Girl Scout in Troop 55 in Sodus, NY in the Rochester Council and graduated from Sodus High School in 1952.

Her father predeceased her in 1941, pursuing his passion as a race car driver at Lakewood raceway Colorado. Her mother, who played the violin, predeceased her in 1999, and stepfather James D Burden passed in 2001.

She is survived by her husband Richard C "Dick" Saunders and they would have celebrated their 62nd anniversary on June 13th, having been married in 1953. She also leaves three children; Richard C "Rick" Saunders (Lynn); Craig J Saunders (Marguerite); Elizabeth K Strader (Scott). Beloved grandchildren, Richard C "Richie" Saunders (Caroline Freeman), Ian M Saunders, and Jacob T Saunders (Morgan Chadwick) as well as her step-grandchildren, Lauren Strader (John Naylor), and Eric Strader. Additionally her brother, Carroll W Kelley (Georgia Brown) and several nieces and nephews.

Kay believed in three things: "One must be knowledgeable about our past, active in our present, and concerned and willing to work for our future".


She was proud of her ancestry and was a member of the Albany Colony Society of Mayflower Descendants, Jane McCrea Chapter, National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution, and as an At Large member of Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War.

She was always an active participant in the community and provided the example for her children to follow in her footsteps. She was the past president and an active member of the Warren County Republican Women's Committee (since 1959); past treasurer of the Warren County Children's Committee; she is a member of the Glens Falls Kiwanis Club and was the Chair of the Interclub committee.

She was a member of all local museums, Feeder Canal Alliance, Mystic Seaport, South Street Seaport, Fort Edward Historical Society and the Lower Adirondack Regional Arts Council. She also ran the District Office for Assemblywoman Joan Hague.

Kay enjoyed sports since she was a child and served on the Sports Promotion Committee of the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce. A Season ticket holder for local sports such as the Adirondack Red Wings since 1979 through the Adirondack Flames of 2015, she was a charter member and past board member of the Adirondack Red Wings Booster Club, past president of the White Sox Booster Club, and GF Tigers Booster Club. She was also an excellent marksman, often raising eyes from men on the skeet field or range.

With a friendly demeanor she was a natural for radio, and was a personality on WBZA hosting several shows such as Swap Shop, Lunch at 12:30 on 1230 on the dial. However, she truly made her mark within the City as a public official serving as a councilman (councilwoman) beginning in 1990 and ended in 2006 as the Councilman at large. Although she was encouraged to run for Mayor, she listened to her family's desires of retirement. As a politician; she was most respected for the fact that you may not always agree with her, but you always knew she was telling you the truth.

In lieu of flowers; she would have appreciated donations to the Children's Committee of Warren County, Glens Falls Kiwanis Foundation, or Cure-PSP.

Kay was cared for lovingly by many and we want to especially thank our family Kendra Ball, Laurie Daily, Kathy Graham, Kristen Greco, Rayeanne Morin, Melody Parent, Rachael Pecor, Chris Shipley, Rebecca Traver, May Tremaine, Petra Fryer, Stephanie Rainville, Amy Brealt, Beth Viger, Mellissa Allen, Eleanor Cook, Jennifer Davis, Rachael Lashway, and Allicen Waite. Additionally, the Glens Falls Police Department and Glens Falls Fire Department for occasional calls to the home, it is always comforting with close friends assisting. Doctor Robert Evans, Glens Falls Hospital, and especially Tim Murphy, without whose assistance, Kay's plans for donating her brain to the Troxel Brain Bank of Mayo Clinic Research Center would have been seriously affected. This was her desire to benefit others in the future. It was her wish that she could help others, in life, and after her passing.

Calling hours are Sunday, 1-3 and 5-7 p.m., at the Baker Funeral Home, 11 Lafayette St., Queensbury, NY 12804 with funeral services Monday at the Funeral Home at 12:00 p.m. followed by interment at the Glens Falls Cemetery (Bay Street).

Condolences may be mailed to the funeral home or e-mailed through www.bakerfuneralhome.com.