Katheryn (Kay) Ann Brown

The world lost an amazing woman and heaven gained one. Kay Brown passed away peacefully December 31st surrounded by family. She was 86.

Kay was born February 16, 1936 in Nampa, Idaho to Hallie and Marion Hahn.  She attended Nampa High School, where she met the love of her life, Ron Brown. They married in 1953, enjoying 52 years together until Ron’s death in 2005.

Kay and Ron lived in several Washington and Idaho towns, but settled mainly in Mountain Home and Boise Idaho. Kay founded and ran Kay’s Book Shop in Mountain Home. Ron and Kay established a second store in Boise called Kay’s Cards and Gifts. Kay enjoyed getting to know her customers and sharing her joy of reading. They opened multiple TCBY locations in Oregon.

In 1996 Kay suffered a prolonged illness, spending weeks in intensive care.  The medical professionals gave her a grim diagnosis and six months to live.  She tells her story in a chapter of Idahope (now out of print).  It was called "Rip Van Winkle and Me".  It tells the story of how she overcame the diagnosis with the support of her loving husband and the help of God.  She credits the experience with bringing her to God and enabling her to appreciate the small things in life, seeking "bubbles of joy".  She frequently shared her story and was an inspiration to many. Kay retired in 1997 for health reasons but continued to keep busy selling gifts on E-Bay and volunteering at the zoo gift shop.

Kay was independent, strong, encouraging, and gave love unconditionally. Her many grandchildren and great grandchildren were her pride and joy. Kay and Ron loved to spend time together in Kihei,Maui, where they gifted their children and grandchildren the love of snorkeling. While Kay enjoyed her family, she looked forward to being reunited with her beloved Ron.

Kay was preceded in death by her husband Ron. She is survived by: brother Dick Hahn (Loretta Flanders), sister Frances Krommenhock (Jake), children Rhonda Thain (Aaron), Mitch Brown (Brenda), Jackie Huffman (Steve), Marci Kopp (Jim), thirty-one grandchildren and great grandchildren, as well as numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Donations may be made in her memory to the American Cancer Society or the Boise Rescue Mission.

A memorial service will take place on Saturday, January 7 at 2pm at Boise Church of Christ 2000 N Eldorado, Boise, Idaho