Born in Seattle, Wash., in 1926 to Italian immigrants, Rosa and Tony Rockey, Kathy ‘Kay’ Thomas died Dec. 29, 2019. She is survived by daughter Toni Anderson (Gordon).

Kay was preceded in death by her siblings, Mary Donckers (Charles), Cosmo Thomas (“Tom”) Rockey (Jacquelyn), and Angelina Lorbeski (Robert).

Kay was raised on her family’s farm in South Seattle and graduated from Franklin High School. She resided on Whidbey Island for the past four years.

Kay had a 60-year career in the insurance brokerage field with national, international and local brokerages. She retired from Parker, Smith & Feek, Inc. after 20-plus years. She enjoyed her annual trips to Palm Desert and golf in her earlier years, and she was never without a cherished convertible car. Kay was a Life Member of Seattle Yacht Club and a past board member of Kuboda Gardens Foundation.

Kay was admired for her strength, tenacity, independence and love of family. Proud of her Italian heritage, she was the last of that generation who instilled in their children a strong work ethic and emphasized a close family bond. She will be missed terribly and remembered fondly.

A memorial will be held 12:30 p.m. Jan. 17 at Seattle Yacht Club, 1807 E. Hamlin, Seattle, WA 98112.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.