Dorothy A. (Collins) Kay

   Dorothy A. Kay, summer resident of Clayton and winter resident of Cape Coral, FL passed away at her home in Clayton on Thursday, September 18, 2025. She was 102 years ‘young’.

   Born in Leicester, MA on December 25, 1922, daughter of Edward R. and Anna E. (Smith) Collins, Dot graduated from John Adams High School, Ozone Park, Queens. On May 12, 1946, she married Norman R. Kay who passed away in Cape Coral on May 9, 2002 at the age of 79.

   She is survived by her son, Gary N. Kay, Cape Coral, FL and Clayton; daughter Teresa A. Kay, Cape Coral, FL and Clayton; five grandchildren, Sean Kay (Sarah) of Nashville, TN, Michele Kay Capsello (Brian) of Baldwinsville, NY, Elizabeth Molyneaux of Harpursville, NY, Denise Morrow (Ron) of Clayton, and David J. Kay of Chaumont and 5 great grandchildren. Dorothy was from a large Long Island family with 32 nieces and nephews (plus spouses and children) who were a huge part of her life – spending time with them as often as possible. As the last surviving sibling she became the “matriarch” of the family.

   Along with her parents and husband, Dorothy was predeceased by two sons, Steven R. Kay, December 24, 2003 and David L. Kay, August 15, 2024; two brothers, Edward and Joseph Collins; and three sisters, Kathryn Reilly, Claire Thompson and Evelyn Snyder; daughters in law – Virginia E. Kay and Margaret J. Kay and grandsons in law Mark Molyneaux and Steven Madger.

   Dot and Norm moved to Clayton shortly after their marriage in 1946 to run the Chauteau for Norm’s parents who had recently purchased the business. They eventually purchased the Chateau, built several cottages and ran the seasonal business for many years. The majority of the cottages were later sold off to individual owners, but the Chateau continued as their primary residence and rental units.

   Dot was a bookkeeper for Wingrath Brothers Lumber in the 1960's and other small businesses in the area for many years. In the 1970's she was elected as the Clayton Town Clerk. She also worked as a real estate agent for Kemp Realty in Clayton and later Klohn Realty in Cape Coral, FL.

   Dot was a communicant of St. Mary's Church, Clayton and St. Katharine Drexel (SKD) Church, Cape Coral. When raising her kids, Dorothy was very active in Clayton Community activities such as the Clayton Christmas parade, PTA and Clayton Chamber of Commerce. Dot had been a member of the Legion Auxiliary for 60+ years. 

   After moving to Florida in the early 1980’s, she and Norm joined the New York State Club where they met friends and established their new life in Florida. Dot became very active in the St. Katharine Drexel Catholic community with her sister Evelyn Snyder. Both became members of the Council of Catholic Women and the Red Hat Society. While at home, Dot enjoyed her computer games, family, friends and pets – Griswold, Ginger, Anthony and Jack. Every Wednesday you would find her playing cards or Scrabble with her group of SKD ladies. She never missed going for a St. Lawrence River boat ride.

   Services will be held next year in Clayton at her family's convenience. Arrangements are entrusted with Cummings Funeral Service, Inc., Clayton and online condolences to her family may be posted at www.cummingsfuneral.com. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Dorothy's name to the Clayton Food Pantry, c/o St. Mary's Church, 521 James St., Clayton, NY 13624, Hospice of Jefferson County, 1398 Gotham St., Watertown, NY 13601 or Harry Chapin Food Bank, 3760 Fowler St. Fort Myers, FL 33901.