Katherine Anna Neese Stewart Smith "Kay", 85, passed away on May 10, 2023.  She was born to the late Robert George and Virginia Stroud Neese on February 6, 1938, and lived in Norfolk (Ocean View).  She moved to Newport News (Denbigh) in 1971 before joining her family in New Kent at the Rivah in 2021.
Kay was married to Paul F. Stewart in 1958 and later married Gary N. Smith in 1971, who have both preceded her in death.  In addition to her husbands and  parents, she was preceded in death by her brother Robert George Neese, Jr.; grandparents,  Robert George Neese, and Anna Tisch, Virginia Catherine Parker Stroud Steele and George Stroud, and step grandfather Arthur Henry Steele; great-grandparents, Rebecca Spiegel and Moses Tisch, Virginia Bowen and William Henry Clay Parker, Sara Davis and William Stroud, and Ella Neese Houtcher McBeth.
Kay is survived by her daughter Katherine Stewart Nice (Ray); stepdaughter Judy M. Wigren (Jim); and seven grandchildren, Kate Nice, Ryan Nice (Shannon), Travis Nice (Elizabeth) and Tyler Nice (Courtney), Ryan Wigren (Paige), Tessa Seifert (Matt), Amanda Potts (Andy); and 8 great-grandchildren, Everly Richey, Ella and Callie Nice, Brooklyn Nice, Rossi and Alex Potts, Aiden Seifert and Abby Wigren.
Kay graduated from Granby High School, Class of 1956.  She attended Mary Washington College. She worked for the Naval Air Station, the Naval Supply Center, and the Naval Safety Center.  For the Army she worked for the Fort Eustis Army Training Support Center.  She received her Psychology Degree at Christopher Newport College in 1983.
Kay loved to be active.  She especially enjoyed going to the beach at Hatteras, NC with her family and friends every year and being with friends on any occasion.  Kay was a member of many clubs: Daughter of American Revolution, Comte de Grasse Chapter (NSDAR), United Daughters of the Confederacy (UDC), Tidewater Genealogical Society (TGS), Order of Ancient Planters (ODAP), Jamestown Society, James City Society, Granby High School Alumni Association (GHSAA), The Warwick County Historical Society (WCHS), the Lee Hall Station Depot, The Monday Night Widows Club, and the Newburg Book Club.  During the Pandemic she made and gave away 500 face masks. She had a special place in her heart for her friends, and church family at Williamsburg Mennonite Church.  Most of all she loved her family and being called GIGI.
There will be a graveside service at 11 AM on Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at Peninsula Memorial Park 12750 Warwick Blvd, Newport News, VA next to Gary's grave.  Following the graveside, a Celebration of Life will be held at 12:30 PM at Williamsburg Mennonite Church, 7800 Croaker Road, Williamsburg, VA with Pastor Zack Dey officiating, followed by lunch.  To celebrate the colorful person she was, please wear bright colors in her honor. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Williamsburg Mennonite Church, Proclaiming Grace Outreach, Hospice House of Williamsburg or any the above clubs.
Arrangements are by W. J. Smith & Son Funeral Home.