TWARYONAS, Kay Ellen,

On Saturday evening, October 21, 2017 Kay Ellen Twaryonas left us to cherish and celebrate her life well lived. She was born in Louisville to the late Alexander and Katherine Twaryonas on January 27, 1945.

Of proud Lithuanian extraction, she was a true Kentucky woman. She graduated from Waggoner High School and received her undergraduate degree from Western Kentucky University and graduate degree from The University of Kentucky.

She pursued a career as a high school teacher of English and Humanities and was magnificent in the classroom. She could get the best out of the most challenged students and inspired the talented to greatness at Thomas Jefferson and then Seneca High Schools. She was truthful and demanding of students, colleagues, and friends alike. Always best to bring your A-game if you planned to interact with her. She helped establish the English as a Second Language program for JCPS, and cowrote a book for teachers titled Classroom Management: Voices of Experience.

Although she had been ill for some time, she maintained her warm, commanding intelligence with friends, former students, and admirers far and wide. Those who knew her well know that she loved to travel and are certain she had read almost everything ever published. Many of those books were read on her favorite beach on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. She was interested in just about everything under the sun, adventurous, opinionated, a masterful cook, musician, artist, knitter, and for a short while a motorcycle enthusiast. She had a nearly encyclopedic knowledge of music in genres from classical to rock, from Bluegrass to Jazz.

She brought an ever present sense of fun and love to those closest to her. Although she never had her own children (except for her beloved students, and her cats and dogs), Kay and her devoted partner of nearly forty years, Susan Hickman, were Godparents to Adam McMurry Tate (Joni) and Emily McMurry Tate Frank (Ian), and Grandgodparents to Amelia Ray Tate.

Kay and Suzi explored the United States from coast to coast and pursued an assortment of hobbies from rock collecting in the Southwest to agility dog training at home. They even bought a horse to pamper together. Susan patiently and lovingly cared for Kay as her health failed.

We will not gather to grieve or regret a loss, but to celebrate a life full of accomplishment. A life that touched us all and made us better, taught us we were more talented than we ever imagined. She lives in our hearts as we explore a world full of amazement.

Visit with family and friends at Rattermans in St. Matthews on Friday, October 27, from 5-8 pm. Bring your favorite story of Kay, Ms. T, or Mama T and join a Celebration of her Life at Rattermans on Saturday, October 28, at 11:00 am followed by private burial at Cave Hill Cemetery.

A Reception to joyfully toast our sister and friend is being planned for that afternoon. Details will be available at Rattermans.

Expressions of sympathy would be appreciated to the Southern Poverty Law Center or the Humane Society.

Published in The Courier-Journal from Oct. 25 to Oct. 27, 2017