- Date Of Birth: March 10, 1923
- Date Of Death: February 13, 2017
- State: Colorado
Mary Kay Adams
March 10, 1923 – February 13, 2017
Mary Kay Simpson Adams, 93, died February 13, 2017. She will be most missed for her deep love of her family, her keen sense of humor, her words of wisdom, and her jewels of advice that have become integrated into the fabric of her family’s life.
Known to all as Kay, she was born to Fred and Ola Simpson, the fourth of five children, on March 10, 1923, in Colorado Springs.
She attended Steele Elementary School, North Junior High School, and Colorado Springs High School. In her teen years, she would often enjoy time with her father as she accompanied him into rural Colorado on business with Simpson & Company and Robinson Grain Company. She also cherished the precious time she spent with her parents and siblings (Dorothy, Fred, Peg, and Dick) at their home in the Old North End. Her college education was during the years of WWII. After studying at Colorado College, she transferred to Mills College in Oakland, California, where she graduated with a degree in economics in 1945.
While still in college, Kay met the love of her life, James D. Adams (Jim), when he was stationed at Peterson Field. Surviving the war and returning to reunite with Kay, the two were married almost immediately on March 12, 1946. It worked out famously, and theirs was a lifelong love story that was a beautiful example of true devotion, honor and respect. Their love led to a family of five children. They also built a successful business, J.D. Adams Company, a truss plate and steel culvert manufacturing firm.
Kay continued to live a meaningful life after the death of her husband in 2008. She was blessed to spend time with family and her wonderful caregiver and companion, Sharon Kennedy. As a believer in God, Kay was an incredibly gracious woman who in the end expressed her readiness to pass on by saying she had lived a long, good life filled with love and family.
She is survived by her five children: Elizabeth Zeidler (Larry), Thomas Adams (Tina), both of Colorado Springs, Sally Howard (Dan) of Steamboat Springs, Frederick Adams (Nancy) of Marco Island, FL, and Lindsay Van Keuren (Richard) of Parker. In addition, she leaves eleven grandchildren: Sarah Zeidler Muro, Adam Zeidler, Samuel Adams, Christian Adams, Alexander Adams, Emily Howard Barnhart, Cooper Howard, Henry Howard, Connor Van Keuren, Anna Van Keuren, Grace Van Keuren, and ten great-grandchildren.
We cry because she is gone but are joyful because she lived.
