Kathryn "Kay" Burr's Obituary
Kathryn "Kay" Burr, 84, went peacefully to God on Saturday, May 11, 2019 at Shands Hospital in Gainesville, FL. She spent most of her life in Asheville, NC and had been in Gainesville since December. She was born May 28, 1934 to John Arthur Smith and Beulah Naomi Waskey, in Baltimore, MD. She graduated valedictorian of Forest Park High School in 1952, and received her R.N. at Johns Hopkins School of Nursing in 1955. She was married to William Theodore Burr, Jr on November 24, 1955 in Baltimore. They moved to Asheville in 1963 with children Debbie and Tommy. Kay made a wonderful home for her family, and took care of her children, husband, mother, and others. She had a special gift of caring for the sick. She worked as a nurse in several positions, and earned her B.S.N. from Western Carolina University. She taught health subjects at Asheville High School in the '70s and started the Health Occupations program there. She loved tending her plants and playing the piano, which she took up as an adult. While grieving her passing, family and friends are sharing many stories of the little things she lovingly did for them over many years.
Preceded in death by brother Johnny. Survived by devoted husband Ted of 63 years, of Asheville, daughter Debbie Doss of Gainesville, FL, son Tom Burr of Los Alamos, NM, sisters Ginny Hanson of Baltimore, MD and Dotty Goldfrank of Sharon, CT, brother Charles Smith of Sparks, MD, grandchildren Charles, Natalie and Mark Doss, Erin and Lauren Burr.
A Celebration of Life service will be held in Asheville at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to Malvern Hills Presbyterian Church, Asheville, NC, or to a charity of your choice, in Kay's memory. Please check back for updates regarding memorial service date and time.
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