Kay Ingalls is Retiring!
Author: Bev Monigal
Kay Ingalls Is Retiring!
After 37 years with the Townsend Library, Kay has decided it’s time. She’s looking forward to being able to do things at the drop of a hat. Here’s a little background on Kay.
Kay, originally from the Midwest, graduated from college with a biology and chemistry degree, and a minor in physics. After college, she went into the Peace Corps. She was assigned to Niger and worked in a well-baby clinic. While in Niger, she met another Peace Corps volunteer, her future husband, Kelly. When Kay’s Peace Corps time was up, she returned home, and worked a few jobs including being a naturalist at a state park. Then she moved to Alaska with one of her sisters. There she worked as a caretaker who, while on the way to work one day, on skis, met up with a cow who decided that skiing with Kay was a good idea. Maybe for the cow, but not for Kay. She never made it to work that day, but to the hospital. With a broken back, and several months of surgery, rehab, and physical therapy, Kay returned to the Midwest. Whereupon that other young Peace Corps volunteer came and Kay and Kelly married. She moved with him to his hometown and ranch, here in Townsend. Kay and Kelly, with his brother, run the Ingalls spread of sheep and cows, a fourth-generation ranch. Kay and Kelly have two wonderful children, one of whom is home learning the ropes of the ranch in order to take over one day and the other is still in college.
The logical, and organizational skills from her science background transferred over to library responsibilities. Working for a smaller, community library allowed Kay to learn everything and do everything in the library. Not that every task was something she liked, but it gave her the opportunity to learn all. She did interlibrary loans and Adult Ed (GED and HiSet) for 20 of those years. Books and Babies and summer reading programs added to her enjoyment. She most enjoyed the people that came into the library and helped all who sought her out. Her kindness and goodness were always present. Finding just the right thing or solving a problem for someone gives her great satisfaction.
Her other great contribution to the community and library is running the Book Club. For 22 years, Kay has marshaled the community into reading over 250 books. The Book Club has been meeting on Thursday evenings at 7:30. Wonderful books and exposure to authors one may never have read. While Kay’s retirement is being worked out so is the Book Club and how it will be configured. More news on that later.
In asking her for what her retirement plans are, they are simple and beautiful. She wants to get out and walk more, observe the birds which she has a passion for, continue her watercolor painting which she loves and occasionally take a drive and have dinner out. It sounds like a great prescription for a successful and contented retirement. Good luck Kay!
Join us in celebration of Kay’s retirement on Thursday, November 10, at 6:30 p.m. at the library. Refreshments and a chance to tell Kay what her service has meant to you. See you there!
