Kathryn "Kay" W. DeFord

July 13, 1938- May 18, 2024

Kathryn "Kay" W. DeFord, age 85, of Chatham, Massachusetts passed away on Saturday, May 18, 2024.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, William (Bill) DeFord, Jr., her brother Grant Wilson and her sister Carla Heath. She is survived by her brother Douglass Wilson, her children: Laurie King, Anne Milne, Lise Wilson, Will DeFord, her grandchildren: Elizabeth, Patrick, Andrew, Shelby, Mathew, Jessica, Clifton, and a great granddaughter, Pearl.

Born in Upper Darby, PA as Kathryn Howe Wilson, Kay was one of four children to William Alan and Eleanor (Lawson) Wilson. She lived her childhood in Harrisburg, PA and Lincoln, MA. She was a student of Concord Academy, class of ‘56 and received her BA from Vassar College and Boston University, class of ‘60.

Soon after graduating college, Kay married Bill and they began to start a family, raising their children in the towns of Lincoln and Concord, where Kay’s involvement in the culture and education of the communities grew. She was a member of school committees, advisory boards, fundraising groups and even pool director of Concord Country Club for several summers.

As a mother, she encouraged her children to succeed in school, pursue a talent, use proper etiquette, care for a home, gain independence and have a direction in life. Being industrious and purposeful was essential to her existence and she conveyed a message to be dedicated and committed to a cause.

She was instrumental in founding the Emerson Umbrella Center for the Arts and the Concord Youth Theatre (1976), where she was the artistic director of over 50 productions. With a true passion for the arts, she performed in and directed many shows in local theaters, gaining valuable colleagues and inspiring young actors. She received the Moss Hart Award in 1993 for A Wrinkle In Time and again in 1996 for Alice. In 2019, she had the honor of the Kay DeFord Center for Performing Arts being dedicated to her by CYT.

Kay and Bill moved to Chatham, MA in 1998 where they became proud owners and innkeepers of The Cranberry Inn for 15 years. Kay had a vision for decor and the inn became her ultimate project. With 18 guest rooms and common spaces to furnish and embellish, she had her work cut out for her. She took pleasure in beautifying the inn to her style with antiques, homemade quilts, fine linens and historic artwork. She tended the flower gardens, baked sweet treats for afternoon tea and created seasonal flower boxes for all to enjoy. Here, she loved to host her annual Christmas Party for many friends and acquaintances.

Her theater career continued on Cape Cod as she performed in and directed shows at the Chatham Drama Guild and Eventide Theatre Company. She joined many groups, socialized with friends and sat on a number of volunteer boards, contributing to the culture, history and commerce of Chatham.

Her many hobbies and interests included tennis, golf, piano, sewing, knitting, gardening, baking, book club, story telling, bridge, travel and dining out.

A Celebration of Life for Kay will be held on Sunday, September 15, 2024 at 12 Noon with visitation from 11 AM - 12 Noon at Nickerson Funeral Home, 77 Eldredge Park Way, Orleans, MA. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Kay’s memory may be made to Concord Youth Theatre

( https://concordyouththeatre.org/ ). Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.nickersonfunerals.com for the DeFord family.