Kay Sharon Menolascina, 68, of Baker City, died July 16, 2009, at an adult foster care home after an extended illness.
At her request, her body was cremated. Private inturnment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery.
Mrs. Menolascina was born on Nov. 17, 1940, at Oregon City to Raymond I. and Emma “Jean” Phillips. Kay graduated from Franklin High School where she sang in the choir. She also attended Business College.
For more than 10 years she and her husband, Dino, operated D & K Detector Sales, a successful metal detecting and prospecting business they started together in 1968 in Portland. In 1978 they sold the business and moved to the close-knit community of Sumpter, settling into the historic Sumpter Dredge superintendent’s home for a number of years before moving to their home in Baker City.
Kay worked for US Bank, Powder River Correctional Facility as a secretary in the drug and alcohol unit and for Safeway in customer service. Kay was affectionately known by others for her sense of humor and quick wit.
She is survived by Dino R. Menolascina, her husband of more than 50 years; their children, Rick Menolascina, Pamela Mussi, Taunja Cote and Rod Menolascina; grandsons, Benjamin, Nickolas and Matthew; granddaughter, Kelsey; brother, Terry; sister, Trudie; daughters-in-law, Sally and Christine; stepsister, Sharon; and stepbrother, Russell.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary’s Regional Cancer Center through Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St. Baker City, OR 97814.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, July 22, 2009
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor
