Catherine "Kay" See March 5, 1920-January 29,2011

Born in Toledo, Ohio, Kay was the third of 8 children.  The family lived atop their father's grocery store.  During the depression, women would come into the store crying because they had no money to buy food for their children.  Kay's father would fill a box with food and hand it to them, telling them to pay him when they were able.  All her life, Kay followed her father's example of charity and compassion.

Kay left her job as a legal secretary to join the Navy during WWII.  After the war, she received a commendation from the Commander in Chief, United States Fleet.  Kay's naval career, which extended several years into the post-war period, had her working under or being acquainted with all four of the only 5 star admirals in US Naval history; Ernest King, Chester Nimitz, William Leahy, and Bull Halsey.  Working under Admiral Nimitz after the war, the Admiral learned that Kay's 10 year old kid brother, Joe, was visiting her in DC.  He asked Kay to bring her brother in to visit.  During the visit, Admiral Nimitz let Joe hold the Japanese surrender sword he received for being the signer of the terms of surrender who represented the US.

Kay met her husband to be, Richard, while both were still in the Navy.  They left the Navy, moved to California, got married and raised 6 children.  Kay will be buried with Richard at the National Cemetery in Riverside, CA following a brief ceremony honoring her military service.  The ceremony will be on March 4th at 1pm.  The cemetery is just off the I-15 across from March AFB.

Kay was lovingly cared for in her last month by her son Mike and grandaughter Katy who were by her side until the end.  Her daughter Linda and sons Mike and Jeff were also able to spend time with her the last month and the medical staff at the rehab facility where she was at until her final two weeks at home were always amazed that she was never alone and always had a family member at her side.  A special thanks to Lightbridge Hospice who made it possible for Kay to be at home the final two weeks.