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Name:	Kay Joice Stemen
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	DECEASED 2012,
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Class of	1947	Attended from through
Graduated Here?	Yes
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Birthdate:	Septemer 8, 1929
Date of Death:	September 23, 2012

Current Occupation:

Notes:	Kay passed after an extended illness at the age of 83. An only child and never married, she is survived by two cousins, Trina Godsey of Walnut Creek, CA, and Dr. Charles (Linda) Spray of Eugene, OR. Kay was preceded in death by her parents, Shelley B. and Chloe S. Stemen, both of Columbia City, IN, her hometown. Kay graduated from Columbia City High School, and then earned a bachelor's degree in social work from Northern University in Evanston, IL. Kay joined the St. Joseph County Dept. of Public Welfare (now the Dept. of Child Services) on Feb. 1, 1960 as a caseworker in Child Welfare and later transferred to the Foster Care Unit. For much of her career until she retired after 32 years on March 31, 1992, Kay was responsible for the recruitment, training and licensing of foster parent homes and day care homes for the department. She had major responsibility for the planning of the foster parent's recognition banquet each year, beginning in 1960, and stayed active in the Indiana and national Foster Care Association long after her retirement. She also is responsible for the monthly Foster Parent Newsletter, serving as its first co-editor in 1972. She touched the lives of thousands of foster children and their foster and adoptive parents. Kay was a compassionate and nurturing person who held strong feelings of social justice. A good listener, she took an active interest in the well-being of friends, co-workers and clients and would go "the extra mile" to make a person feel valued and respected. Yet she had little tolerance for irrelevant bureaucracy and pettiness and made her feelings known. Kay was honest and forthright and her social work skills were recognized with rewards and accolades. Her favorite reply was, "You figure it out!" Before her health failed, she was an avid reader of mystery novels, enjoyed golf and sharing a meal with friends and acquaintances. She supported a variety of charities that promoted the well-being of children, veterans, families and animals. Acutely aware of the world inequities, Kay strived to make her immediate environment and the extended world a more just and humane place. Kay and her influence will be sorely missed. Memorial Contributions in Kay's name may be made to: The Salvation Army, 900 W. Western Ave., South Bend, IN 46601; Hope Rescue Mission, 532 S. Michigan St. South Bend, IN 46601; Humane Society of St. Joseph County, 2506 Grape Road Mishawaka, IN 46545. To celebrate Kay's life, a memorial Service will be held on Friday October 12, at 1:30 p.m. At the Salvation Army Croc Community Center, 900 W. Western Ave., South Bend, IN 46601. Friends and former co-workers, foster parents and children whose lives she touched are invited to attend. E-Mail condolences may be made at www.welsheimer.com

Last Updated:	01-15-2017		Alumni ID:	12318

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