I just finished grading my last research paper for the night. It's 7:57 pm, Tuesday March 21 2023. I have some advice to give a student when we meet for class again on Thursday. I'm going to tell them to move up from the back row and come closer to the front of the classroom.
I took that same advice back in 1984, delivered so kindly, i did not mind leaving my laughing friends behind. You see at the time I couldn't afford a pair of glasses, and so when Professor Gura asked me if i knew the answer to the question on the board, I honestly said, "I can't see the board." 
That move to the front of the class is why I am a college English professor today. With Professor Gura's encouragement, I became a tutor at Ramapo College, which when I decided to become an educator, too.  I was looking for Professor Gura to say thank you, only 
to find out that she has passed. She has been an inspiration to be all these years. God bless you all

Kay and I were roommates in Kenan woman's dorm in our first year of graduate school at UNC Chapel Hill, she in maths and I in city planning.  How lucky I was to be matched with her!  She was so funny and friendly and supportive ...  while howling with laughter at my first exposure to life at a coed school in the South.   She also loved telling me about string theory, knowing that it made my head roar... .. Somewhere during the years when we both had small children, we lost touch; but I have thought of her often.    While the Kay we could see and touch is gone, her outrageously wonderful spirit is still among us,  and I hope it helps to comfort you during this most difficult of times. -- suzanne chichester fischer

My condolences to the family and friends. I will always remember engaging with Professor Gura in the halls of Ramapo College. Will never forget her warm smile. 

Sara Kuplinsky
Colleague at Ramapo College
    
     In 1991 I was happy to accept the position of Math Lab Coordinator that Kay offered me, and that I still hold. Until she retired we very often collaborated to serve the needs of students in the math program at our school. 
But there was more than math. A good couple of years after I started, Kay mentioned to me that Brian was performing in a musical at Ramsey High. My husband and I, then living in Ramsey, attended. It was excellent.
My condolences to Kay's family and friends.



I have to add this memory.  I'd had my hip replaced and had difficulties getting a commode through insurance.  I mentioned it to Kay - 'oh I have one" she said.  Next day I had to go to the doctor's, came home to find a commode sitting on my front porch.! It was a godsend.  She'd driven it all the way from Barnegat Light to Little Egg for me - so typical of the type of person she was.
She also "bullied" me into performing with the Strings for Shore group - I was reluctant to perform in public - but we always were glad we did.  And I always enjoyed our deeper conversations.
My condolences to the family and friends of Kay.  May her memory be a blessing to all of you.

Lou,
Condolences to you and your family for your loss.


Kay is already so missed by all of us at “Strings for Shore”. She was a lovely woman with such passion for life and such a dedicated musician. 🎶🎶🎹🎻😢
As one of our members said   Now she’s playing with the Angels 🌺
Judy Mayer

Dear Tanya, Amy and Brian,
My deepest sympathy to you all in the death of your mother. I only knew her through back to school night and in the wonderful children she reared. She retired from Ramapo College the year before I retired from Ramsey and started my 18 years of teaching at Ramapo.
She had a very fulfilling life, and I know you will miss her terribly.
Sincerely,
Sandra Martin 

Our condolences to the whole Gura family, we loved Kay and we will miss her exuberant personality, her quick wit, her fierce determination, and her love for her family.

I’ll share one funny story which sticks in my mind from years ago when I was visiting Kay and Lou in Ramsey. We were debating on a topic, I don’t even recall what it was, and she was making her points quicker than I could respond. I said ‘you’re confusing me’. ‘She said ‘with what? The truth? ‘

That was Kay, my sharp-witted aunt who I will miss deeply. 

Love the Wolfepack

Professor Gura was my Growth and Symmetry instructor when I was  sophomore at Ramapo College in 1996. She was a bright spot in my schedule and was so patient, kind, and helpful. Frequently she helped support me when I struggled with complicated mathematical concepts, offered a caring smile when I’d begin to cry feeling like a failure, and boost my confidence as an academic. I’m pretty sure if it wasn’t for Kay, I may never have passed the math requirement and earned my degree. Sending her family my love and deep sorrow. I’ll never forget her kindness, it has made me a more compassionate high school teacher. 

Lou and Family,
When Pam called to say that Kay had died and so suddenly, I was shocked.  She was a great high school and college friend that I had kept in contact with all these years.  Whenever we were able to get together we picked up right where we had started.  She was a treasure to me and I regret that we were not able to see each other more often.  I have many sweet memories of her.  Just know that Lou and the family will be in my heart and prayers as you face the challenges of life without her.   She was very special to all of us.
Love, 
Mary Whelchel Pierce Todd
731-445-6623 (cell) 731-285-7289 (home)
I would love to hear from you.

Dear Lou and family, 
Our sincere condolences at your heartbreaking loss. Kay was a remarkable woman in so many ways. She touched many lives and made the world a better place. We are so fortunate to have known her and will cherish the time we spent together. 
With our deepest sympathy,
Alexandra and John Mancini
Kimberly and Jon Behnke
Stephanie Mancini and Andrew Schaeffer
David and Amanda Mancini

50th anniversary celebration, such a wonderful party and Kay was beaming! 

Antarctica 2008.  Wonderful memories of a trip together.

We were lucky to meet Kay a couple of times. We know her through her son Brian. Brian is a wonderful man who represents his family with his compassion, humor and love. Kay will be missed, but her legacy moves forward with her children and grandchildren.

Love, Dwight & Wendy Ballard 

Milner & Whitaker families with Seay grandparents and Aunt Dorothea Mills

I'm sorry to read of your loss.
She was a beautiful and talented lady.
Little Joe


Aunt Kay will be so missed. I will always treasure the memory of mine and Lance’s trip  to visit in Ramsey and Barnegat Light. She and Uncle Lou took us all over NYC. We experienced Broadway, the World Trade Center, a Beach Boys concert, the Statue of Liberty, deep sea fishing, the beautiful lighthouse, and so many more wonderful memories. Praying for you all as you navigate these difficult days. 

Kay was my big sister, and was like a 2nd mom to me, and my siblings. She has always seemed so grown up to me...
Helping around the home with chores, helping the younger ones of us getting our homework done, and keeping her studies up with excellent grades. She encouraged me with my piano lessons  as she played the piano too, also  even taking me to piano concerts performed by professional pianists.  Though she left chattanooga when she got married, she and Lou welcomed family visits to their homes in Piscataway, Ramsey, and Barnegat light. My children and I have wonderful memories of our many vacations to the Jersey shore.  Kay will be sorely missed by me and all of my siblings. We loved her dearly.






To the entire Gura family, my heartfelt condolences. Kay welcomed me into the quartet with open arms,  a passionate violinist who had trouble counting. Imagine her frustration. Over the years and with her enduring patience, we pushed to play more difficult music, which only she could have made happen as our leader. She will be deeply missed not only because of the music, but because she was a kind and thoughtful person, always. She was a friend. Sincerely, Linda Kapitan


To: Lou, Tanya, Amy and Brian

We want you to know how deeply sorry we are about your mother’s death.  She was a model of generosity, kindness, happiness and she was just plain fun!  She was so proud of all of you and delighted to be a grandma to your children.  In thinking of Kay, we will always remember her beautiful smile, her easy laughter, her incredible cakes, her quick intelligence and her warm friendship.  It was an honor to know her.  Please accept our deepest condolences.

Love, Jan and Ridge Cooper💕

OBITUARY

Kay M Gura

September 26, 1941 – October 18, 2022

Thos. L. Shinn Funeral Home

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