Kay Margraf Ancell
November 18, 1945 ~ December 15, 2022
Kay Margraf Ancell
November 18, 1945-December 15, 2022
Kay was born in 1945 in Cape Girardeau, Missouri to Henry A. Margraf and VirginiaLee (Albert) Margraf. During her college years she met, and later married, Clay Ancell in 1966.
Kay wanted to be a school teacher to small children since she was a small child herself and never faltered in pursuing that career. She graduated with a degree in elementary education from Southeast Missouri State University and began her teaching career teaching second grade students in the Melville school district in St. Louis county, Missouri. While working full time, she pursued a masters degree in remedial reading at the University of Missouri in St. Louis and was promoted to be a traveling remedial reading teacher throughout the schools in the Melville.
Her educational career temporarily took a back seat to raising her daughter, Suzannah. Kay taught Sunday school, was a Girl Scout leader, then accepted a position of the director and head teacher of the Kirkwood Presbyterian Church preschool, one of the largest Christian preschools in the St. Louis area. As director, she became intensively involved in obtaining preschool accreditation in the state of Missouri. During this time, she also taught second grade Sunday school, was a brownie, then Girl Scout troop leader, and she and Clay were the co-presidents of the PTA of her daughter's school. They served on the PTA board at Kirkwood High School and ran the Production Company for all theatrical and musical performances at Kirkwood High School handling ticket sales, refreshments and hosting the post production cast parties for two years.
Kay's love for children was equaled by her love of animals. She rode horses for many years and had pets of nearly every variety (birds, rabbits, cats, and, her favorite, standard poodles.) She was always musical and played the piano and sang beautifully for many friends' weddings. Kay has been called a force of nature and was passionate about her many friends and family. One of Kay's proudest accomplishments was being Nana to her adored and long awaited granddaughter.
Kay was a longtime member of the Lewinsville Presbyterian Church in McLean, Virginia. She was
moderator of the Presbyterian Women, active in church circle, and made lovely handmade greeting cards for fundraising events.
Several years ago Kay was diagnosed with a variation of Alzheimer's disease, which began with aphasia, the inability to produce speech. She received in-home care for 3 years, then entered Sunrise of McLean assisted living. She was in hospice for 3 months and passed away peacefully on December 15.
Kay is survived by her husband of 56 years, Clay Ancell, her daughter Suzannah Ancell Weir (Patrick) and her granddaughter Virginia "Gigi."
A memorial service for Kay will be held at the Lewinsville Presbyterian church in the spring.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to The Parkside School, who serves elementary school children who have a range of language based learning difficulties. (https://www.parksideschool.org/give)
November 18, 1945-December 15, 2022
Kay was born in 1945 in Cape Girardeau, Missouri to Henry A. Margraf and VirginiaLee (Albert) Margraf. During her college years she met, and later married, Clay Ancell in 1966.
Kay wanted to be a school teacher to small children since she was a small child herself and never faltered in pursuing that career. She graduated with a degree in elementary education from Southeast Missouri State University and began her teaching career teaching second grade students in the Melville school district in St. Louis county, Missouri. While working full time, she pursued a masters degree in remedial reading at the University of Missouri in St. Louis and was promoted to be a traveling remedial reading teacher throughout the schools in the Melville.
Her educational career temporarily took a back seat to raising her daughter, Suzannah. Kay taught Sunday school, was a Girl Scout leader, then accepted a position of the director and head teacher of the Kirkwood Presbyterian Church preschool, one of the largest Christian preschools in the St. Louis area. As director, she became intensively involved in obtaining preschool accreditation in the state of Missouri. During this time, she also taught second grade Sunday school, was a brownie, then Girl Scout troop leader, and she and Clay were the co-presidents of the PTA of her daughter's school. They served on the PTA board at Kirkwood High School and ran the Production Company for all theatrical and musical performances at Kirkwood High School handling ticket sales, refreshments and hosting the post production cast parties for two years.
Kay's love for children was equaled by her love of animals. She rode horses for many years and had pets of nearly every variety (birds, rabbits, cats, and, her favorite, standard poodles.) She was always musical and played the piano and sang beautifully for many friends' weddings. Kay has been called a force of nature and was passionate about her many friends and family. One of Kay's proudest accomplishments was being Nana to her adored and long awaited granddaughter.
Kay was a longtime member of the Lewinsville Presbyterian Church in McLean, Virginia. She was
moderator of the Presbyterian Women, active in church circle, and made lovely handmade greeting cards for fundraising events.
Several years ago Kay was diagnosed with a variation of Alzheimer's disease, which began with aphasia, the inability to produce speech. She received in-home care for 3 years, then entered Sunrise of McLean assisted living. She was in hospice for 3 months and passed away peacefully on December 15.
Kay is survived by her husband of 56 years, Clay Ancell, her daughter Suzannah Ancell Weir (Patrick) and her granddaughter Virginia "Gigi."
A memorial service for Kay will be held at the Lewinsville Presbyterian church in the spring.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to The Parkside School, who serves elementary school children who have a range of language based learning difficulties. (https://www.parksideschool.org/give)
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RIP Kay.
Kay was such a vital part of Presbyterian Women at Lewinsville. As Moderator she brought enthusiasm, vision, warmth, and encouragement to young and old. We miss her and share the loss with her beloved family.
Kay was such a “light” in the darkness and seemed to never meet a stranger. She treated her friends, acquaintances and all those in which she came in contact with such warmth, kindness and love. She was one of the first to volunteer if you needed help and always ready to offer a smile, a kind word and more. I know Kay will be deeply missed by her devoted family and her many dear friends, including me.
So very true!
This St. Valentine’s Day award was presented to Kay in recognition of her lifetime of dedication to helping people.
A candle was lit for the decedent.
A candle was lit for the decedent.