Kay Kelly Egol

Kay Kelly Egol was born in Idaho Falls, Idaho on October 8, 1937 to parents George and Dazel Kelly and died December 12, 2024 in Hemet, California with husband Steve and daughter Kareen at her side. She was 87.

Kay enjoyed growing up in Boise where she was the oldest of four siblings.

Unfortunately, tragedy befell her at the young age of 11 when she contracted infantile paralysis (polio). Hospitalized for 12 months and placed inside an “iron lung” in order to be able to breathe, she continued to decline to the point where the doctors believed she would not survive any more than another 24-hours or so. To everyone’s astonishment and joy, Kay’s tenacious spirit and determination, coupled with her parents’ earnest prayers, empowered her to keep fighting. Over time, not only did the iron lung become unnecessary, but so did the leg braces, wheelchair, corrective casts and crutches.

Kay was the first in her family to go to college. A diligent student and avid reader, it took her just three years to graduate cum laude from the University of Idaho, during which time she proudly accepted the invitation of Pi Beta Phi sorority sisterhood, while successfully earning her BA in Education. Throughout her life, Kay remained intentional about nurturing her innate curiosity and love of learning, as evidenced by the fact that she made time to earn both her Master’s Degree in Education as well as a Special Education Credential at California State University, Fullerton and University of California, Irvine respectively. It was important to her to keep her teacher’s credentials current – so she did so! It should be noted that her career and higher learning pursuits, while admirable, never interfered with what she considered her most important roles in life: that of loving wife and devoted mother.

Kay’s passions in life were multifaceted and included partnering with her beloved husband, raising and setting an example for her daughter, teaching school children, and traveling. She was able to combine the two when she accepted a job teaching Air Force dependents in France and Germany where she met her husband Steve and gave birth to Kareen.

Upon the return to civilian life, Kay continued teaching in their new homes in Southern California. She was recognized as Teacher of the Year and enjoyed the devotion of her students and their parents. Teaching kids with learning disabilities to read was her calling.

During school holidays she accompanied her husband on international business trips. Being firmly confident and adventurous she had no concern about exploring Jakarta, Moscow and Sydney on her own while her husband conducted his business. After retiring she continued to enjoy traveling to more than 100 countries.

Kay’s passion for learning – and teaching others –didn’t stop upon retirement. She took night classes on photography and happily volunteered her time and energy to tutoring struggling students at the city’s local Boys and Girl Club. She also volunteered her time at the Laguna Art Museum, becoming an enthusiastic docent and patron. Other interests included studying and playing duplicate bridge, raising the herb garden she created in her backyard and continuing to explore her culinary interests, never one to shy away from trying out new recipes on her appreciative family. A devotee of the arts, she maintained membership in 7 art museums and theaters in Southern California.

In addition to her husband Steven Egol and daughter Kareen DelConte, Kay is survived by her sister Karen Zundel, brothers Paul and Steve Kelly, nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews.

No formal services will held