Kathryn Jean Garlock Croft "Kay"

Kathryn, known by all as Kay, was born to Frances and Lyle Garlock in Washington, DC, in October of 1940. She grew up in Alexandria, Virginia and received a BA in mathematics from Duke University in 1962. Kay's college roommate had a visiting cousin, a handsome army captain working in the Pentagon. John Croft was released from active duty with the army first thing in the morning of September 15, 1962, and Kay married him soon after eleven that same morning. They left the country quietly for a Canadian honeymoon. John worked for Exxon Corporation and affiliates for over 33 years and he and Kay moved around the country until settling in Dallas (for the second time) in 1990. Kay and John celebrated 60 years of marriage in September of 2022.

Kay is survived by her husband, John, her children, Karen Dibble, Dallas, Michael Croft (Ginger Stampley), Dallas, and Allison Mercante (Mark), Covington, Louisiana. Kay was the best Nana to her five grandchildren, Collin, Susannah and Jake Dibble, and Andrew and Meg Mercante. She was thrilled to live to see all her children and grandchildren attain well-earned university degrees.

Kay was a valued community volunteer wherever she lived. In Dallas, Kay dedicated many hours in leadership roles at Highland Park United Methodist Church, her P.E.O. Sisterhood, and the George W. Bush Presidential Center. Kay volunteered for church service everywhere she lived, often in children's programs. She was a leader in Chapelwood United Methodist Church, Houston, New Canaan (CT) United Methodist Church, Peapack (NJ) Reformed Church, and finally for thirty years in Highland Park (Dallas) United Methodist Church. While at Highland Park, Kay served in the United Methodist Women, including her circle 20; her Sunday school class (Wesleyan Fellowship Class); and for several years on the church council as lay convenor of the church's lay members of the North Texas Annual Conference. She served in a number of key leadership roles beyond the local church.

Kay devoted many years to Chapter BC, her local arm of the educational and service organization, the P.E.O. Sisterhood, including the chapter presidency and other positions of leadership. She also worked beyond the local area, once serving on the financial side of hosting an international gathering of the Sisterhood in Dallas.

She was devoted to the George W. Bush library on the campus of S.M.U. She was a charter docent of the organization and very loyal to her Tuesday morning contingent of that group of docents.

She enjoyed going to book reviews and participating in book review organizations. Kay had a number of favorite reviewers.

Kay loved her Texas Rangers, her bridge group of friends and her needlepoint artistry. She was devoted to her family, responsible for two generations of holiday magic. Kay led by example and taught her family to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with God.

On the fun side, Kay also loved her and John's trips to Europe with their close friends, Kathy and John Beall to traverse exotic rivers and visit charming places like Geneva (world's best fondue), Rome (world's best gelato and world's most fanatic automobile drivers--perhaps just the males), Paris (several times), ditto London, and so on---oh , and that spy bridge outside a Berlin suburb where, in her imagination, Kay could arrange exchanges of James Bond types. Kay found the multitude of old castles and terraced vineyards and 500 year old national feuds fascinating.

The family is planning a memorial service at a later date to celebrate Kay's life, with Dr. John Fiedler of Highland Park United Methodist Church officiating.