Tributes

Kay Farmer, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend to many passed away peacefully on November 3, 2022, at the age of 84 in her home surrounded by those that loved her most dearly. At Kay's request, no funeral services will be held and a celebration of life will occur this coming December. Kay "Georgia" Gillis was born January 2, 1938, in Fresno to Gareth and Phyllis Gillis who preceded her in death. Kay met the love of her life Bob Farmer skiing in Yosemite at Badger Pass in 1955. It was love at first cup of hot chocolate. Kay and Bob later married on June 3, 1961, and soon after built their country home at the end of Behymer in Clovis, affectionately known as "the farm." It is on "the farm" where Kay and Bob raised their three children Robbie, Holly and Michael. Kay and Bob remained active skiers with family trips to Sun Valley and sailed together in numerous Santana regattas. Kay and Bob were also pillars of the Huntington Lake community with several cabin and sailing friends. Kay was a graduate of Fresno High School and went on to graduate from Fresno State. From Fresno State Kay pursued a career in teaching and taught at Dry Creek elementary in Clovis for many years until retirement. Even after retirement Kay continued to teach as a substitute and volunteer in the community at the Holiday Boutique. All those that had the privilege to know Kay became endeared due to her generous and caring ways. Be it her tenacity to note everyone's birthday in her calendar and send birthday wishes on time or a heartfelt handwritten thank you card. Certainly, the hostess with the mostest, Kay was engaging in social gatherings and a force to reckon with no matter the occasion. The holidays were most notable at "the farm" with table decor from the Holiday Boutique (all purchased for charity of course) and her ability to cook, chat and clean all while ensuring everyone else was taken care of before she sat to join any festivities. Kay often was the last to be seated and the first to tell everyone to stay seated and she would clean up later, which meant staying up until the wee hours of the morning. She was a soccer mom, motocross mom, cheerleader mom, tutor, life coach and constant source of encouragement and love to her family. Kay was "mom" to more than her three children. Numerous former students from Dry Creek would approach her when out and about in Clovis to say hello and thank her. Kay was also a mentor to her grandchildren who fondly called her Noni. She ran Noni's Camp at her cabin at Huntington Lake for several summers for her grandchildren, who she tirelessly loved and would do anything for. That is the most significant character trait of Kay, selflessness. Her unending ability to give more to others than she received in return giving generous amounts of love to those in her life. Kay will be sorely missed and remembered with fondness by all who knew her. So, at the next thunder or rainstorm (Kay's favorite mountain weather) lift a glass to the sky to toast a beautiful lady and an unforgettable life. Kay is survived by her loving husband Bob of 61 years; 3 children and 6 grandchildren, including her 2 sons Robert and his wife Elizabeth and their children Kaylin, Robbie and Grace; Michael and his wife Rachel and their daughter Finley; daughter Holly and her spouse Kerry and children Jordan and Lauren; sister Carol Fitzsimmons and spouse Corky. In lieu of flowers please donate to Valley Children’s at https://www.valleychildrens.org/foundation/donate-to-valley-childrens or mail to Valley Children’s Healthcare, Foundation Dept PC-17, 9300 Valley Children’s Pl, Madera, CA 93636 or by shopping at the Holiday Boutique which all proceeds benefit Valley Children's and was a mainstay of Kay's volunteerism.

Tributes

Kay Gillis Farmer

January 2, 1938 - November 3, 2022