KATHLEEN "KAY" M. (WIZEMAN) LEWIS, age 88, of Troy, passed away at Randall Residence with family at her side on Wednesday, September 14, 2016.  Born in Clifton Springs, New York, she grew up in Palmyra, NY as the oldest daughter of Louis and Theresa (Bowe) Wizeman.  She graduated second in her class from Palmyra High School in 1945 and earned her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Cornell University in 1949 – one of only two women in her class to receive that degree.

In 1951, Kay moved to Oak Ridge, Tennessee to work on nuclear projects, where she met a young technician, Mervin Lewis.  When both moved from Oak Ridge to Cincinnati to work with General Electric, their relationship deepened.  They were married on July 4, 1953, at St. Anne's Church in Palmyra.  They settled in Cincinnati, then Dayton before eventually moving to the Brookville area, where they raised five children.

Kay balanced motherhood while serving as a substitute teacher in area schools.  She returned to the workforce full time in 1969 as quality control manager at Sinvalco in Vandalia, then as quality assurance manager with Dayton Coatings and Chemicals in West Alexandria.  Throughout her career, she led by example as a strong advocate for women in the workplace and made her mark in a chemical industry largely dominated by men.  Early in her life, Kay served in the Civil Air Patrol for three years.  She also kept active by serving as a 4H advisor for local sewing and horse clubs, as well as birdwatching and gardening.

Several years after retiring, Mervin and Kay moved to Troy, where they were members of St. Patrick's Catholic Church.  They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in 2013; Mervin preceded her in death on February 25, 2014.

Kay is survived by daughters Barbara of Upper Sandusky; Dorothy MtCastle (Wade Flory) of Brookville; Catherine (Ken McFarlan) of Oak Harbor; Jennifer (Brian Chrestoff) of Troy; son Richard (Don Harp) of Bloomington, Indiana; seven grandchildren: Tim (Jani), Angela (Brian), Morgan, Elizabeth (Jim), Kristina, Jillian and Chelsea; and numerous great-grandchildren, great great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.  She is also survived by her sister Margaret Wizeman of Lewiston, New York.  She was preceded in death by her parents, brother: Joseph Wizeman, and sisters: Patricia Wizeman and Joan Poulson.

Kay's family would like to thank ComForCare Home Care of Dayton for their assistance, especially Amber, Keri, and Taylor for their skilled and loving care; the staff at Randall Residence of Tipp City, who recently provided a lovely and welcoming setting for Kay; and Crossroads Hospice, for their nursing expertise and for providing comfort to both Kay and her family.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Patrick's Catholic Church at 1:00 PM on Tuesday, September 20, 2016 in Troy, with Rev. Fr. James Duell as Celebrant.  Interment will follow at Riverside Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM on Tuesday at Baird Funeral Home, Troy.  Arrangements will be handled by Baird Funeral Home of Troy.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.bairdfuneralhome.com.  If desired, the family suggests memorial donations could be made to St. Patrick Soup Kitchen, 409 East Main Street, Troy, OH 45373.