Kathleen M. “Kaye” Fish

Kathleen M. “Kaye” Fish, 94, passed away unexpectedly but peacefully, on Wednesday, September 6, 2017 in Ocala, FL.

Kaye was born in Rockford, IL and was the daughter of the late Henry J. and Elizabeth (Schultz) Fish. She moved with her family to Kenosha in the mid-30’s and graduated from St. Mary’s Grade School and Kenosha High School. She opened and operated the Kaye Fish Dance Studio for many years, offering wonderful and talented students in well received dance recitals at the Orpheum Theater, as well as entering her baton twirling team in the yearly Kenosha parades, who took several ribbons in performance.

In 1963, Kaye moved to North Palm Beach, FL. She worked for 25 years as a bookkeeper, museum assistant, and various other duties at the Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach, FL. She also handled all the details involved with “Tuesdays With Music” series at the Museum, researching artists extensively and then booking them with great success. Kaye had the opportunity to meet the likes of George Hamilton, Margaret Hamilton (Wicked Witch in Oz), and many others, but she always said that Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. was one of her favorites. He was so polite to her and commented on a dress that she wore her mother had picked out. She retired in 1988. Kaye said that her time at the Norton were the best years of her life. She maintained several friendships from there up until her death. Her past co-workers and friends have said Kaye was not one to court publicity and was elusive to the camera, but was a very dedicated employee.

In 1998, she moved to Ocala, FL where she made many wonderful friends. In mid-2011, Kaye moved back to Kenosha until 2015 to be nearer to family, but after so many years in FL, she could not adjust to the Wisconsin winters any longer, and she returned to Ocala. Kaye was a member of Queen of Peace Catholic Church and was a part of their Ministry of Praise. Her faith was extremely important to her.

From 1974 until the time of her death, Kaye owned and loved four Yorkshire Terriers, each time naming the successor, Princess. Her Princesses were always the little love of her life and constant companions.

In addition to her parents, Kaye was preceded in death by her three sisters, Dorothy Piché, Bette McQuestion, and Rosemary Kalis; her brother, Henry “Hank” Fish, Jr., and a niece, Sharon McQuestion.

She is survived by nieces, Mary Ellen (Fish) Quint, Carol (Kalis) Bullock, Karen (McQuestion) Jahnke, Pam (Piché) Boero, Patti (Piché) Irving, and nephews, Robert Fish, Tom, Bob, Bill, Patrick and John McQuestion, Wayne and Gary Kalis, and many great and great-great nieces and nephews, who will miss her, her stories of the “Gallery” (Norton Museum), and her little Princess tales.