We invite you to read the comments that Kay’s friends have left – many of them are at the end of the Kay’s Early Years page.
We welcome you to post your own comment here, or on any of the other pages or posts on this website.
Thank you for joining us in celebrating Kay’s life.
~The family of Kay Wheeler
Dear Betty and Dwight,
I was blessed to have spent some small bits of time with your mother at Emma’s.She always had a smile and loved watching Dwight play. It was joyful . I am thankful that you posted her life’s experiences- what an amazing woman. My heart goes out to you both- Nancy Brunson
Betty, I really enjoyed reading about your mother’s early life. What an amazing story. To have the courage to leave her first husband in that society at that time shows what strength she had. Thanks for sharing this. I’m going to look into the Brain Observatory at UCSD.
This is a beautiful tribute.
-Chris
Thanks for your comment, Chris. I’ve been very impressed with the Brain Observatory and its director, Dr. Jacopo Annese.
Betty and Dwight –
This site is a beautiful tribute for a remarkable woman – strong, brave and creative. I met Kay on three occasions. I never heard her speak, but I was impacted by her quiet eye and gentle demeanor. She reminded me a lot of Granny Phillips – my grandmother-in-law who was made of “piss ‘n’ vinegar” – a lover of colors as well, a fine seamstress and a cheerful participant in any crafty project. They even looked alike. At this time of adjusting to life without her, my heart goes out to you and yours!
Peace and blessings be yours,
Claire Lynch
Claire, I assume Granny Phillips is the person who inspired your great song, Woods of Sipsey (on your latest album, Whatcha Gonna Do). Thanks for these beautiful words – we treasure them! Bluegrass music gave my mother great joy over the last 7+ years, so we thank you for your music, as well.
Dear Betty,
This is a lovely and moving way to remember your mother. I am glad to have known her a little bit. In spite of everything, it always seemed to me that she had a great sense of humor. This was especially apparent the last time you, Dwight, she and I had lunch together in May. It was at a Vietnamese restaurant on Convoy Street. She and Dwight were amusing each other by making faces, and she kept tapping me on the arm to make sure I was keeping track of his latest “creations.”
Please accept my condolences.
G
I love this anecdote, Virginia. Mom and Dwight had a complex sign language that just the two of them understood – they could carry on quite a long communication with no words at all. We should have brought in an anthropologist to document this!
What a remarkable woman your mother was, Betty! I appreciate this opportunity to get to know a little bit about her and thereby get a further understanding of your roots. My heart goes out to you today in a special way, because I am traveling the road of Alzheimer’s with Claire’s and my dad, Evan; so I can emphasize closely with the sense of loss you are experiencing.
I wish you and Dwight peace and comfort in the days ahead, as you make the adjustments to your life brought about by this loss. Bless you.
Sincerely,
Susan Stewart
Claire Lynch Band Management
I met Kazuko through you two back in my JLBC days. Through Obon festivals and later at your house I developed many fond memories around this remarkable woman. Chief among these was her teasing Dwight about his really bad Japanese and also her presence around the marvelous lunches and dinners that Dwight cooked up. I have a deep respect that you took her into your home and that you were present at her passing.
Namu butsu and Kanzeon,
Andy
Thanks for these memories, Andy – and for documenting just how bad (and hilarious) Dwight’s Japanese is. But no matter how many times he called her “beautiful mother,” it always made her beam with joy!
Thanks for these kind words, Susan. Our thoughts are with you and Claire as you travel this road with your father.