Kathleen Mancini

July 9, 1927- February 12, 2019

Kay Mancini, 91, of Palm Coast, FL was born on July 9, 1927. She was at her home and surrounded by her family when she left us on February 12, 2019. The daughter of educators Fredrick Smith and Kathleen Lynch Smith, she grew up on a gentlemen’s farm, was educated by nuns and ultimately attended Cornell University and graduated at the amazing age of 18. With her keen intelligence and indominable spirit, Kay was known as a trailblazer who helped to carve out strong pathways for all peoples. Working as an Educator for the Museum of Natural History in NYC, Kay facilitated the academic journey of the many, global young adults that passed through her doorway. She continued this work in many forms, but had the greatest impact as a New York State 9th grade Physical Science teacher at Jones E. Salk Jr. High School. It was here she not only educated her students, but provided them a solid life focus and strong foundation upon which they grew and attained great successes. Many of Kay’s students forged lifelong friendships and remained in communication throughout her life. In 1968, Kay married Joseph Mancini and together they raised four daughters. She is survived by these daughters and their families. Deborah Mancini & Michelle Proebsting, Barbara & Dr. Hal Cohen, Patti & Rob Costa, and Kathy Lou Mancini & Alex Dupre. Kay welcomed 8 wonderful grandchildren into this world: Stephanie, Allison, Brittany, Jessica, Toni, Travis, Teddy and Jonathan, and 6 great-grandchildren: Peyton Lynn, Charlotte Olivia, Thea Kathleen, Liam Russell, Summer Lynn and Killian James. She became known to her family, et. Al. as “The Great One”. She is also survived by many members of her incredible Smith Family Tree, with whom she enjoyed many lifelong adventures. An avid reader and lifelong learner, Kay passed her passion for living life and being present in the present along to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She had a great love of the natural world. She advocated for the protection of all living things and supported making informed decisions on global platforms. Known for her unfaltering sense of humor, unapologetic informed opinions and larger-than-life laugh, she entered this world as an only child yet leaves behind a legacy that will live on forever. She lived as a force for change… she lived indeed, as the change she wanted to see happen in this world, and empowered all who knew her to live their lives intentionally with purpose and passion. Kay would appreciate donations in lieu of flowers to the Military Veterans Project: https://www.militaryveteranproject.org/donation.html honoring her late husband and grandson Travis Gardner’s service to our country; As well as The Best Friends, Save Them All: https://bestfriends.org/donate/make-gift-memory/make-gift-honor-donate and The ASPCA: https://www.aspca.org/ways-to-give

Our thanks go out to her amazing medical community, who loved and cared for her. To the unbelievable nurses and medical staff at AdventHealth, Ormond who respected and appreciated who she was and did all they could to support her care, and to the fantastic Hospice team, who helped us all walk out these final steps of her amazing journey as she wanted and deserved, with love, dignity and respect. Thank you…