Patricia M. Kays – Virginia Beach
Patricia Mickelsen Kays died on October 14, 2011.
Born in Bridgeport, CT, she was the daughter of
Ruth Klemer and Stanley Mickelsen, General, US Army.
The Philippines, El Paso, Fort Monroe, Germany, and
Washington, DC were places she lived.
She graduated Duke University in 1945 and
worked for the Federal Reserve Board and the
Spanish Embassy. After marrying Robert L. Kays,
Cmdr., USN, tours of duty took them to Cuba,
Pensacola, France, Arlington, Trinidad and
Virginia Beach.
Pat gave countless hours to St. Columba
Ecumenical Ministries as a board member, and
to the Food Bank of Southeastern VA; she taught
literacy and delivered Meals on Wheels. As a
woman of deep faith, she always helped those less
fortunate than she.
She served as an elder at Oakdale Presbyterian
Church and earlier at Bayside Presbyterian, where
she also played with the handbell choir.
Her quiet ways and humble path belied a life of
rich experience. As a young person, Patsy traveled
the Great Wall of China by donkey and swam in
the White House pool. She attended a Nuremberg
War Trial, and was a newlywed in Havana at the time
of the historic “Bloodless Coup”.
Pat was predeceased by husband, Robert L Kays and sister,
Ruth Rountree. In Austin, TX, her sister Helen Henion
and her children survive Pat, as well as devoted
nieces, Sue Black and Joan Brown of Hampton.
She is cherished in memory by children Katherine Brlej
Mark of San Diego, Elizabeth Kays Mark Dunlevy of
Nags Head, and John Kays Cindy of Virginia Beach,
and one grandson, Morgan Fitzpatrick of Nags Head.
A memorial service will be held at Oakdale
Presbyterian Church at 550 E. Little Creek Rd.,
Norfolk, VA on October 22 at 1 PM. In lieu of
flowers, memorial donations may be made to
the church or the Salvation Army. Online
condolences may be made at www.cremate.org.
Memories of her will dance through our hearts
as she joyfully dances in the arms of Jesus.