Kay Asher, the much-loved historian of the FFAM, left us on September 21, 2020. If you did not know Kay in some way through her work with the FFAM, it would surprise me. Kay was involved with the FFAM and the FFAM Auxiliary since 1968. Her late husband, Delmon “Jack” Asher, was the historian of the organization for over 25 years. Kay and Jack worked side-by-side to preserve the history of this organization. Not only did they collect our history. But they graciously provided space in their home to store the artifacts. After Jack passed in 2010, Kay continued to collect, preserve and keep the history of the FFAM. She was a major supporter of the firefighter’s museum being built in Kingdom City so that we would have a place for our history. Kay was honored many times and many ways by the FFAM, achieving Spouse of the Year in the Auxiliary in 1995, and she received the Phil Sayer Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016.
On a personal level, I became friends with Kay early on in my involvement with the FFAM. No one could not be friends with Kay. Her sparkling and bubbling personality reached across space and couldn’t be ignored. I remember when I first met Jack and Kay. I was mesmerized by this giant of a man that towered over this tiny little short woman. She held his hand as they went thru the room, and I might add, kept him in line. Once she got around to me, she grabbed my hand and said, “Now, I’m Kay, who are you?” A force to be reckoned with was my first thought of this precious lady. Her smile was infectious, and her laughter, oh my! If you got her giggling before you knew it, everyone was giggling too. Even the boys! She was feisty, ornery as could be, funny as they come, quick with a hug and a kiss, and if she ever got mad… You’d better watch out! But most of all, she was the dearest of friends, and I’m glad she became one of mine.
We are all saddened at the loss of Kay. We will all miss her greatly at our meetings and conventions. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Asher family. God speed Miss Kay.
Obituary
Kay Frances Asher was called home on Monday, September 21, 2020, at the age of 84. She was born July 13, 1936, in St. Louis, Missouri. She was the beloved wife of the late Delmon (Jack) Cecil Asher Jr. for 55 years of Wentzville, Missouri. They were married on June 25, 1955, and from their union, four children were born. Theresa Cox (Kenneth), Delmon Asher III (Pam), Catherine Ohmes (Mark), Jacqueline Asher, deceased.
She is survived by 8 of her 13 brothers and sisters. Kay was a loving and devoted grandmother to 7 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. They truly were her pride and joy and she loved sharing stories about them to anyone who would listen.
Kay was very active with 4-H, Girl Scouts, The Extension Club, and Choir. She volunteered as a Probation officer and in the gift shop at St. Joseph Hospital West for many years. She was very active in the Wentzville Fire Department Auxiliary and with the Fire Fighter Association of Missouri.
Kay retired from the Frances Howell School District after about 30 years of service. Earlier on in her life, she worked as a waitress, worked in a flower shop, sold Avon and Fuller Brush.
She loved all types of crafts from painting, jewelry making, fixing broken and creating unique items, and more. Crocheting and embroidering was something she enjoyed as a hobby a young woman, but after retiring, she always carried her sewing bag and crossword puzzles with her where ever she went. Kay loved making flower arrangements, she made her daughter’s wedding flowers, made centerpieces for the FFAM conventions, was asked to make arrangements for many events, and shared her passion by showing her friends at the Senior Living Boulevard how to make their masterpieces.
As a young woman, she made contact with three of her unknown brothers who were all in the service, and from there formed one of the strongest bonds a family could have. Being the oldest Kay made sure she was always there for her siblings. The family had a special meaning for her. She was the core of a very huge family.
Kay will be greatly missed by her family and friends and she leaves so many treasured memories with the lives she has touched.
Memorials can be made payable to FFAM Firefighters Museum or Alzheimer’s Association in care of Pitman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 248, Wentzville, MO 63385
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