In Memory

Katharine "Kay" Suzanne Nichols (Honnette) - Class Of 1971

Katharine Kay Suzanne Nichols (Honnette)

Dec 13, 1952 - July 27, 2011


Kay Honnette (Nichols), of Kingsburg, CA died Wednesday, July 27, 2011.

She was born in Pasadena, CA and grew up in West Covina, CA where she was active in 4-H, served as club president 3 years, excelled in sewing clothing, and raising and showing Hereford beef cattle. Kay was selected as one of the top ten 4-H All Stars in Los Angeles County. She graduated from Claremont High School and then began college at Mt. San Antonio Community College in Walnut, CA. Kay trasferred to Cal Poly at San Luis Obispo where she majored in Agriculture Education and was a member of the sheep show team.

Kay married John Honnette on Aug. 20, 1976 and they moved to Blacksburg, VA where Kay received a B.S. degree in Agriculture Education in 1977. Kay and John moved to Caruthers, CA in 1978 where they owned and operated a dairy farm and where all four of their children were born. The family moved to Denair, CA in 1987 where she worked as a teacher's aide until the family moved to Sun Prairie, WI in 1989. Kay attended UW Whitewater where she received another teaching credential and worked as a high school special education teacher in Deerfield, WI. The family moved to Turlock, CA in 1996 and Kay became Director of Client Services for Goodwill assisting ex-felons, homeless, and people down on their luck by helping them learn life and job skills. Kay and John moved to Kingsburg in 2003 and Kay continued working for Goodwill. Kay battled breast cancer for the past five years, enduring two surgeries, radiation and chemotherapy. She lost the battle but continued to devote herself to her family and continues to inspire us with her courage, grace, humility and love. She enjoyed traveling, gardening, reading, listening to music, but most of all spending time with her family.

Kay is survived by husband John, daughters Lisa Singh, Brooke Gray, and Marissa Honnette; son Ryan Honnette; son-in-laws Royjindar Singh and Josh Gray; grandchildren Taylor Honnette, Katelyn Gray and Grant Gray; parents Raymond and Mary Nichols; and brother David Nichols.

Private burial will be at Denair Cemetary and a Memorial Service will be held at Cornerstone Covenant Church in Turlock, Saturday, August 6 at 10 a.m. Remembrances may be sent to Hinds Hospice, 1616 W. Shaw Ave. #1, Fresno, CA 93711.