Dorothy Rae Kagay

Dorothy Rae Kagay was born May 14,1927 in Aurora, Ill. She went to heaven March 24, 2017 just short of her 90th birthday. She was the daughter of Roy E. and Mildred A. Stearns. She had one sister Shirley Price. Dorothy married Harold Kagay June 21, 1945 in Aurora at Claim Street Baptist church. In 1951 they moved to Whittier Ca with their young son Jerry. In 1959 their daughter Cynthia was born. In 1966, at the urging of their friends Sonny and Maxine Shandor, they moved to beautiful Santa Barbara. In 1967 Dorothy took a temporary part time job in the placement office at Westmont College. Not too many months went by when she was asked to become the full time secretary of the business manager. Her pleasing manner and excellent skills were noted and she was asked to become the secretary to the President. She was the secretary to 5 different presidents over her 30 year career at Westmont. Her days at Westmont were the most challenging but the happiest times of her life. She loved to walk the campus and enjoy the beauty but what she spoke of most often were the people and what a wonderful community the Westmont family was. Dorothy was a member of Trinity Baptist church, which is now Santa Barbara Community church, since 1966. She was instrumental in establishing the children's program there and was the writer and director of its first children?s Christmas musical program. Children brought Dorothy the most joy. She loved to write poetry and stories and sing little songs that children could relate to. Her children and grandchildren were the beneficiaries of those talents. She could make up fun games and keep them entertained for hours. Entertaining was her forte. She could cook and bake and set a beautiful table and loved to host parties. Their home on Mountain Drive, also known as "Kagay's Kastle", was home to many group gatherings, from huge family Fiesta weekend camp-outs to Sunday school groups having chili cook-offs. It was always a place people loved to be because of Dorothy's welcoming hospitality. Dorothy hosted a women's small group bible study in her home up until about two years ago. Mentoring younger women in their walk with Jesus was something she was passionate about. She loved to read books about Pioneer Women, cookbooks and her Bible. It was her goal to go to all her grandson's football games and there were a lot of them, grandsons and games. From YFL to Dos Pueblos and Bishop to Cal Poly. She was proud of "her boys" as she'd call her grandsons. Dorothy leaves behind a daughter Cynthia Shotwell, her husband Steve and their 4 sons: Kyle, wife Danielle; Ryan, wife Vanessa; Troy, wife Katie; and Matthew. Dorothy's son, Jerry, passed away in Nov. last year but leaves his wife, Marjie, and grandchildren: Janine, husband Bill; Jeff, wife Jen; and Allison, husband Anthony. Dorothy had 11 great-grandchildren. She will be remembered by her family as a loving, caring Mother, Nana, Mother-in- love, and Aunt who's devotion to them was limitless. Hers was a life well lived. Well done, good and faithful servant. A Memorial service will be held Saturday April 22 at Santa Barbara Community Church, 1002 Cieneguitas, Santa Barbara 1 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Westmont College Sports camps, care of the Harold and Dorothy Kagay sports camp scholarship.

Dorothy Rae Kagay

May 14, 1927 - March 24, 2017