KAY M. HYATT
OLD TOWN - Kay McKenney Hyatt died Nov. 5, 2006, of ovarian cancer at home. She was born May 2, 1942, in Monticello, Ark., the daughter of Nora (McDaniel) and Ray McKenney. She was married to Edward K. Hyatt, who died in 1964, in Little Rock, Ark. They had three children.

A graduate of the University of Arkansas, she came to Maine in 1972, where she worked for daily and weekly newspapers before joining the University of Maine as a news writer in 1986. Since 1994, she was the communications coordinator for the College of Education and Human Development.

Throughout her career she enjoyed the best of journalism and public relations, interpreting daily events and complex issues to readers and promoting the University of Maine, its faculty and students. An active community citizen, who loved her work and deeply appreciated the many opportunities she received in life, Kay was blessed with a thoughtful, helpful family, many genuine, caring friends, colleagues and neighbors and with a fine medical team.

She is survived by two sons, Edward Lindsey of Orono and William Lindsey of Lawrence, Kan.; a daughter, Deborah Hyatt of Rochester, N.Y.; daughter-in-law, Barbara Harrity of Orono; three grandchildren, Emmett and Siobhan Harrity of Orono and Sara McIrvine of Rochester, N.Y.; a sister, Judy McKenney Ryburn of Monticello, Ark.

There will be no funeral. There will be a simple gathering to remember Kay 3-5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8, in the Treat Room of the Buchanan Alumni Center, University of Maine, Orono.

Those who wish may make donations in her honor to the Maine Press Association Kay Hyatt Scholarship Fund, care of University of Maine Foundation, Two Alumni Place, Orono, ME 04469-5792; The Animal Orphanage, P.O. Box 163, Old Town, ME 04468 or a charity of one's choice; particularly those that deal with human and/or animal welfare and rights.