Kay Bishop

Annie Katharine was born august 4th, 1930 in Bremerton Washington to Robert and Thelma Ogletree and had one brother. When she was little her father was in Navy and the family moved to Alameda, California. The family moved back to Washington to the Bear Creek community located on the Old Belfair Highway in 1937 and lived just 1 block away from the Bishop family. She attended Belfair Elementary and then South Kitsap High School graduating in 1948.

Married Stanley Bishop August 8th, 1948 a love story that lasted just shy of 71 years not counting the courting. Kay worked various jobs including at J.C. Penny’s in the house goods department, as a waitress at the Shanghi Café, George’s Grocery store in Bremerton, Singer Sewing Machine Company, the Shipyard Commissary and then transferred to work in the Supply Center at PSNS, where she retired at the same time as Stanley.

Kay worked full-time her entire life while raising 5 children, and helping to build their house in Belfair, where they lived at the time of her death. When talking over her life accomplishments, Stan says her most significant accomplishment was marrying him! After retirement Stan and Kay opened the Belfair Valley Nursey in 1983 which the Bishop Family ran for many years.

Kay was always busy supporting her kids in their different activities while working full time. Stan and Kay were on a bowling team for a short time. Stan served in the National Guard for 23+ years and Kay helped with the various wives’ clubs. She also worked as a parent for the Bethel 43 Job’s Daughters where all 3 of her daughters were members.

Stan always called Kay… “Katie Wippletree” when growing up…and still used the old nickname as a term of endearment. That name always made her laugh. She enjoyed all the holidays, including decking out her house every year to host the family Christmas eve party. Fourth of July was always a huge celebration! Camping, especially at Sun Lake in eastern Washington and a hiking trip to Silver Lake in 1971 was memorable. There were many family trips to Disneyland, and Disneyworld. Kay loved to travel she traveled to Europe, New York, and lots of places around the world. Of course, there were the Sunday road trips and picnics with the family when the kids were little, and attending all sporting events that her sons Craig and Jeff participated in. Kay was an avid reader.

Gardening was a huge favorite which led to canning vegetables from Stan’s gardens and cooking from scratch…using what Stan raised…if someone brought home an extra person, she would say ‘Throw another spud in the pot!’ She enjoyed watching Antique Roadshow, Jeopardy, and Wheel of Fortune. She loved to eat out and she loved sweat treats, cookies, and her vitamin c treats that her son-in-law Jack always provided (orange slice candy)!

Kay was a charter member of a local pinochle club for over 30 years with daughters Linda & Cheri, and she loved playing solitaire on the computer. She loved antiquing and junk stores, collected glass ware and cook books from throughout the country. She loved shoes and became a proficient shopper on amazon.com later in life. In the midst of all of that she also liked to keep up with current events and politics.

Stan was a pilot and Kay learned to land a plan in an emergency, even though it was not her favorite thing to do, she thought it was important. Stan and Kay loved to dance, when they were young, they were regular visitors at the Pearl Myhre’s Dance Hall in Bremerton and all the local dance halls. She loved big band music, the beach boys, and all the old songs.

Kay loved ALL flowers and she loved bright colors, especially red. She especially loved her kids, grandkids and great grandkids. Stan and Kay always had a dog and a cat. They raised their own beef and always had a milk cow.

Kay always worked hard to raise 5 kids and work full time, when at the time it wasn’t common for women to work outside the home. Cheri says ‘My Mom always thought people should try to look their best. She put on makeup daily…she liked her clothes to match and her shoes…She had her hair fixed weekly almost all of her life and she liked to keep up on whatever was new…fashion, colors, trends, jewelry. She always tried to look her best.

Kay was a great cook and always used what she had on hand from garden and freezer and it was always delicious, she always welcomed extra people at the dinner table. Kay was a strong woman and always taught her kids ‘grace under fire’.

Every mom had their words of wisdom they blessed their children with. Here are some of Kay’s quips: “Wait till your dad gets home”, “Get cleaned up, and you’re not wearing that”, “If you lay down with dogs you’re going to get flea’s”, If you asked her how she was, she would say ‘Finer than frog’s hair!’. She thought people should work hard, don’t talk too much, do your best, be happy, and always make sure you look your best.

Kay went back to the hands of God on June 18th. She was preceded in death by granddaughter Megan Bishop, Son-in-law Mike Pruitt, and her brother Ken Ogletree.

She is survived by her sweetheart and husband Stanley Bishop, daughters Linda Britt, Cheri Pruitt, Penny Matson, son-in-law Jack Matson, sons Jeff Bishop and daughter-in-law Phyllis Bishop, Craig Bishop and daughter-in-law Daan Bishop; 15 grandchildren, and 19 great-grandchildren.

Her departure has left a void in many hearts and will be missed terribly. Daughter Penny says she will miss her daily phone calls, daughter Linda always had to call and let her know when she got home safe. Stan says he misses seeing her come down the hall every morning…she would always stop in the hall to look out the window and check the weather and her flowers.

In lieu of flowers for the service, the family has suggested that you consider donating to:
Crohns & Colitis Foundation, 9 Lake Bellevue Drive #202, Bellevue, Washington, 98005
Or
Belfair Cancer Kickers benefitting Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
1100 Fairview Ave. N. Mail Stop J5-200, Seattle Washington, 98109
ATTN: Belfair Cancer Kickers/ Colon Research

There is a celebration of Kay’s life Tuesday, June 25th at 2:00 pm at Rill Chapel in Port Orchard. Burial will be at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent.