Kay Van Auken McClenny went home to her Lord and Savior on Thursday, June 11 at the Delaware Hospice Center in Milford after a long battle with cancer. She was 68.
Kay was born on October 7, 1957, in Milford. She was the daughter of Vernon and Betty Betts Van Auken. As a teenager, Kay was gifted pianist playing at several local business events and for various civic organizations. She was also a member of the Sussex Central High School marching band.
She entered state service in 1981, working several years at the Delaware Department of Labor and Family Court. At the age of 30, Kay returned to school to pursue a teaching degree. In 1994, she began teaching at East Millsboro Elementary School as a second-grade teacher and transitioned to teaching in the computer lab for the last five years of her career.
Kay proudly retired from the state of Delaware in 2011 with a master’s degree in education and 30 years of total service.
A loving and devoted wife to John McClenny for 31 years and stepmother to Kyle and Ashley, Kay selflessly threw herself into parenting fro a seven and nine-year old, sowing them unconditional love and giving them the structure and stability they needed. Both children are devastated by their mother’s passing and are determined to keep her memory alive with their own children.
A devoted friend and very generous with her family, Kay doted on all of her nices and loved big hugs as well as the laugh of her nephew. Except for a brief residence in New Jersey, she spent all of her life in lower Delaware, proudly claiming her “local” status. She will be sorely missed by family and friends.
In addition to her husband and stepchildren, Kay is survived by her grandchildren Lillian Loss, Zoey Loss, Cameron Loss, Jolene Pomerene and Logan McClenny. She is also survived by her brother-in-law, Denny Green (Jill); her nieces Suzanne Lewczak (Chris) and Holly Van Auken; her nephew, Alan (Jennifer) Green. She is also survived by her great-nephew Jamison and great-nieces, Angela, Mikayla and Charleigh. She will forever be missed by her four-legged companion, Murphy.
Kay was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Donna Van Auken Green and her brother James “Jamie” Van Auken.
Instead of flowers, the family asks for donations to Tunnel Cancer Center.
