Kathryn Norwood Brown Hietpas

Kathryn Norwood Hietpas was a native of Merritt Island having been born in Wuesthoff Hospital to Irma and Willie Norwood on December 18, 1951. Kay was the youngest of four children with three brothers: Tom, Charles, and Bill Norwood (deceased 1992). Kay raised two children on Merritt Island, Tommy Brown (deceased 2005) and Elizabeth (Brown) Becker.

Kay is survived by her husband Thomas Hietpas, her daughter and son in law, John, two step-children, Allison and Andrew Hietpas, and many loving family members and friends. She was the matriarch of the family gatherings for many years as their family grew and flourished in Brevard.

Kay trained as a lab technician and worked at Wuesthoff Hospital in her early years. However, the majority of her career was serving as the owner/manager of Fat Boy’s BBQ of Merritt Island from 1980 to 2007. She was the gorgeous redhead customers knew and loved!

Kay was an expert volunteer as a member of MIRA and Guardian Adlitum. She was Junior League of Central and North Brevard President in 1993, and also manned and chaired many fundraisers for the schools. She served as elder, fellowship chair, and member of numerous committees at Merritt Island Presbyterian Church, and was a member of the Florida Restaurant Association and the Cocoa Elk's Club.

Kay and her family traveled many miles and lands together much to the delight and pleasure of her children. She loved being a mom more than any of her jobs and played that role to many friends and extended family as well. Auntie Kay was loved by many!

For fun, Kay loved her family time, but also had many groups of friends ready for play time including her high school Feral Cats, The Late Bloomers, and The Bookies. She was the gentle, calming one, always there to help out, lend an ear, and word of prayer or advice.

Kay lived her life to the fullest and encouraged those around her to do the same:

Never miss a thing! Be strong, have faith, live your life, and love one another…telling them often!

Her faith will sustain us in her loss, she was a committed Christian, following in her mother's footsteps.

A Memorial Service for Kay will be held at 2:00pm Sunday, March 30, 2014 at Merritt Island Presbyterian Church, 600 South Tropical Trail, Merritt Island, Florida 32952.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Kay's name, may be given to Merritt Island Presbyterian Church or to Jr. League of Central and North Brevard.

Arrangements under the direction of Wylie-Baxley Funeral Home, Merritt Island, FL.