Kayana J. Bacus, 66, Peck
Kay Joyce Bacus of Peck - Katy, as she was known by friends - completed her duties on Earth Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2010, at Clearwater Valley Hospital in Orofino, while surrounded by her family. Kay was born to Charles and Virginia Schneider May 27, 1944, in McCook, Neb.
Her father Charles worked for the Bureau of Reclamation doing surveying on large dam projects and the family moved to the Coulee Dam area from McCook when Kay was just a small child. She grew up in Coulee Dam, Forks and Warden, Wash.
There, Kay met and married her first husband, and had two daughters. After her marriage ended she moved to the Orofino area, where her parents and siblings were to be closer to her family. She instantly fell in love with the wooded mountains and chose to make the area her permanent home. She enjoyed picnicking, mushroom picking and just walking in the woods.
During this time she married a second time, and gave birth to another daughter. However, the marriage ended in divorce.
She was a very strong willed person, as anyone who had met her knows, and she raised her three daughters on her own, making a great life for them. She worked for more than 19 years at Hayes Food Store and made many lasting friends while working there.
Kay enjoyed 22 wonderful, exciting years with her soul mate and life companion. They were always busy traveling, not just in this area but to places that she had never been before. She enjoyed showing her friends and family the many photos and scrapbooks she would put together about each and every one of the many adventures they had during their time together; never without the big wonderful smile she always had on her face. When she got her first computer, there was never a time when you went to visit that she didn't bring out the newest slide show that she had just finished. She became the computer guru for everyone in Peck who was trying out their first computer and printer. She was very accomplished and proud, and always ready to assist, anyone who would call her for help. One of the greatest accomplishments in her life, besides her girls, was receiving her general education development certificate; she didn't tell anyone what she was doing until she had completed all of her lessons and had her diploma in hand.
Kay had many pleasures in life. She enjoyed her time spent with her family, fishing and traveling, gardening and the many different crafts she occupied her time with. She was very talented and liked to share her crafts with family and friends.
Kay is survived by her longtime companion of 22 years; three daughters; her two brothers; her sister; and two grandchildren; as well as many nieces and nephews with their families; and her extended family.
A celebration of life will be conducted at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Peck Community Center.
Lewiston Tribune, September 22, 2010
Transcribed by Kerry Kasza