Kay Delap Nelson, 72, of Chapel Hill NC passed away at home on May 24, 2024.  She had been diagnosed with inoperable liver cancer in January, and entered hospice May 17th.  She bore the disappointment of unsuccessful immunotherapy and the ravages of its side effects with incredible bravery and grace.  Her sense of humor and concern for others never left her.  The world is diminished by her passing.

Kay was born on the US Navy base in Guantanamo, Cuba, on October 1, 1951, the youngest of the three children of James and Dorothy (Smith) Delap.  After her father’s discharge from the Navy the family moved to Shelbyville IN. Kay graduated from Shelbyville High School and went on to get a degree from Purdue and then a Master’s degree in Library Science from Indiana University.

Kay began her working career in public libraries, for which she never lost her love, and moved on to corporate libraries including Dow Corning in Midland MI and Teradyne in Boston MA.  As the role of libraries changed she became an expert at downsizing corporate libraries, presenting a paper at the 1988 Special Libraries Association conference. After her marriage to Mark, Kay switched careers and became a certified (Bentley College) event planner, where her well-ordered thinking and organizational skills were evident.  She was particularly proud to be part of the team that organized and staged Harvard University Law School’s first Celebration of Black Alumni in 2020.

Kay and Mark met in the Presbyterian Church in Sudbury MA which they attended for over 30 years.  When they married in the church on May 25, 1996, it was the first marriage for both, and each considered it worth the wait!  Kay’s affinity for the ocean (inspired by her father’s long Navy and merchant marine service) led to a love of cruise ship travel.  She and Mark traveled together on at least 19 cruises to the Caribbean, Bermuda and as far as Ireland.  Kay always handled all the cruise planning and booking, and kept an eye on cruise ship traffic wherever they went.  Mark introduced Kay to the joys of Cape Cod where they spent many summer vacations in Eastham MA.  They lived in Natick MA until their retirement to North Carolina.

Kay is survived by her husband Mark, her brother Gary Delap of Harrisville MI and her sister Lynn Taska of Shelbyville IN, and her dear friend from childhood Cynthia Decamp. She was preceded in death by her mother Dorothy and father Jim, and half brother Mahlon.  Kay will be remembered fondly for her kindness and good nature by all who met her — extended family, friend or stranger.

A service of Witness to the Resurrection will be held July 13, 2024, at 11:00 AM at the Mt Bethel Presbyterian Church, 3541 Rose of Sharon Rd, Durham NC.  Her ashes will be placed in the Columbarium at Mt Bethel in a private ceremony.