Kay Healy Moquin 1937-2006

Mom peacefully passed away at home this morning with Andrew, Julia, Amy, me, and her dog, Coco, at her side. The sun brightly shone on all of nature's splendor...a good day to die.

A small private service will be held at 7pm on Saturday, December 30th at Moles Funeral Home at 2465 Lakeway Drive, Bellingham, WA. Tel. +1 360 733 0510.

A public memorial service will be held January 12, 2007 at 4PM at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Bellingham. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Saint Paul's Episcopal School Music Fund, Saint Paul's Church, or Whatcom Hospice.

Hotels: Fairhaven Village Inn 360-733-1311, The Chrysalis Inn (call Doreen Colman 360-392-5504 directly for discounted rates), Hotel Bellwether (call Jene Pascu 360-392-3172 directly for discounted rates), and Best Western Lakeway Inn 360-671-1011. Priceline.com is a good bet for budget bookings.

Mom's Obituary:

Kay Healy Moquin, 69, died surrounded by her family at her Chuckanut Mountain home in Bellingham, WA, on Thursday, December 28, 2006. A virus following cancer treatments caused her death. To the end, Kay had an open, soaring spirit that lifted all around her.

Following her 1937 birth in Detroit to Byron and Dorothy Carse, Kay was raised in Michigan where she graduated from Kingswood High School and earned a BA in History of Art from the University of Michigan in 1959. She earned an AA degree at Bennet Junior College in NY. At each institution, Kay was a student leader.

Encouraged by her Father, Kay traveled solo around world before leaving college. The adventure heightened her social consciousness and self-reliance.

After marrying Robert H. Healy in 1960 and moving to Grosse Pointe where they raised their two children, Kay served as the President of the Junior League of Detroit and as a Director of The Association of the Junior Leagues of America. Following a period of racial violence in Detroit, Kay helped drive redevelopment projects in the city.

She married D. Andrew Moquin in 1986, and they traveled extensively abroad. In 1990, the couple relocated to Washington State for its natural splendor. Andrew and Kay helped found the Bellingham Festival of Music amongst their other community and philanthropic roles. Kay’s work with the Bellingham Arts Commission earned her the Mayor’s Arts Award. Her own art will be exhibited in Bellingham on January 30th and 31st.

Having owned and run thriving interior design businesses in Grosse Pointe and Bellingham, Kay demonstrated that she was both creative and productive. Her publicly recognized residential work improved hundreds of lives.

Kay will be remembered for colorfully celebrating any and every occasion with a child’s enthusiasm. The variety and longevity of her many friendships is a testament to her unbounded love of people and life itself.

Kay is survived by her husband, D. Andrew Moquin; daughter, Julia; son, Robert (and his wife Amy); and grandchildren, Wren and Ann, all of Bellingham; and sister Barbara (and her husband Frank) of Rochester Hills, Michigan.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Paul's Episcopal School, 3000 Northwest Ave.; St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 2117 Walnut Street; Bellingham Festival of Music, 1300 N. State St.; or Whatcom Hospice, 800 E. Chestnut St., #1-C, all Bellingham, WA 98225.

A Memorial Service will be held at 4:00 PM on Friday, January 12th at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.

You may share your thoughts and memories of Kay in the on-line memorial guest book at www.molesfuneralhomes.com.

Moles Family Funeral Home & Cremation
Bayview Chapel - Bellingham

Christmas Spirit

We celebrated Christmas Eve with Mom whose determined spirit rallied. She joined us for two hours of toasts, presents, grace (prayer), and dinner. What a gift...

The gift opening photo shows Mom (left), Wren (near left), and Amy (right).

Days Not Weeks

Hospice estimates that Mom has a few days of life left. She is resting comfortably at home and not eating, drinking, or speaking much. Her spirit is good.

FLASH: FDA Warns of Safety Concern Regarding Rituxan

The FDA has issued a PML warning for a drug that Mom took during her period of chemo-therapy earlier this year. See the press release.

Native Drum Honors Kay

Four friends of the family visited Mom to honor, pray, and play for her. Words cannot describe the compassion and power conveyed by this Native American drumming custom. Ultimately, Mom was made Little Sister to the Drum and given a blanket meant to hold and warm her...as a friend would.

Mom is increasingly amused by the the ridiculous parade of minor Indignities that precede Death. Andrew, a deep source of love and security, gives her strength to laugh.

Mom is immobilized from the neck down apart for some movement in her right arm. It is increasingly difficult for her to swallow and talk.

Thanks to all who continue to visit: Mom loves it. We offer a very special thanks to Suzanne, Kay's kind niece, who flew in from Chicago.

Please arrange visits with Andrew. The period from 11-12 noon daily is reserved for family visitors.

Kay OKs Hospice Care

A Hospice representative visited today and received Mom's authorization to begin care.

Treatment Has Not Slowed PML

Yesterday's visit to the leading PML physician in Seattle confirmed that the first round of treatment with Cytarabine is not slowing the disease.

Cytarabine does not repair damage already done by PML. So, even if future treatments stop her PML, Mom would still have to cope with the disabilities that she has at that moment in time. As of today, she has lost a lot, including the use of the left side of her body.

Doctors expect Mom to become increasingly disabled in all respects, so Mom faces complex choices in the days and weeks ahead. She qualifies for Hospice care now, if she wishes it. She is not in pain, thank God.

Although Mom is a disease-fighting champ, let's not assume that she will continue fighting PML. Let's just support her.

We thank all who have written, called, and visited Mom!! In particular, we recognize Barbara, Kay's sister, who quickly came from Michigan; Tim, Andrew's devoted nephew, who traveled from NYC; and, Carolyn, Kay's loving niece, who visited from Philadelphia.

Home Again

Mom returned to her home on the mountain following six snowy, icy days with us low-landers. It was perhaps the most valuable time we've shared in decades.

Mom tires easily now and has difficulty sleeping some nights. So much left to do...

Mobility is challenging each day, so a new wheel chair has been rolled into service. Mom invites your suggestions for decoration (e.g., flames) and a possible rear bumper sticker.

I have been asked to post contact info for a Bellingham florist. We like JQ Flower Shop 360-734-4310.

Mom and Andrew encourage visits, which are best kept to 20 minutes. Expect laughter and tears. They'll provide the tissues :-)