She was born to Vada Gee and Clyde Perry Buis on April 5, 1912, in Kansas City, Mo. At the age of eight, she began classical ballet lessons under Dorothy Burrows, a highly respected teacher. After studying ballet for twelve years and completing Kansas City Junior College, Kathryn became a ballet teacher at her studio in Kansas City. Because of Kay&squo;s love for children, she volunteered as the president of her local Girl Scouts of America. Her love for dance followed her to Tryon, where she was a founding member of the Dance Guild, which brought ballet troops such as the Joffrey Ballet of New York to perform in the Tryon area.

In 1975, she and her husband Ernest, who died in 1990, moved to Tryon from Hinsdale, Ill. Kay became active at the Tryon Congregational Church, where she took particular interest in arranging the altar flowers for Sunday services.

She was also an active volunteer at the Meeting Place, Thrift Shop, and St. Luke&squo;s Hospital Auxiliary. Kay and Ernie were inducted into the Second Wind Hall of Fame in 1983.

Mrs. Peck was an accomplished crewel and needlepoint embroiderer. She enjoyed all of the performing arts, travel, and entertaining in her beautiful home. She leaves three nieces: Perry Buis Colapinto of San Diego, Calif., Rebecca Buis Cooney of Maui, and Kathryn Buis Golden of Santa Fe, N.M., great niece Emily Kathryn Golden Latting of Albuquerque, N.M., and great nephew Joseph Perry Golden of Santa Fe, and dear friends, Ruth and Earl Foy.

A memorial service will be held Thursday, Sept 4 at 2 p.m. in Tryon Estates Chapel, with Rev. Ralph Kuether and Dr. Bob Barrows officiating. A reception will follow.

Memorials may be made to Tryon Congregational Church Memorial Garden, 210 Melrose Ave., Tryon, N.C. 28782 or Hospice of the Carolina Foothills, 130 Forest Glen Drive, Columbus, N.C. 28722. Her family expresses gratitude to the staff of the Hospice of the Carolina Foothills for the loving care of Kay in her last days.

An online guest register may be signed at www.mcfarlandfuneralchapel.com.

McFarland Funeral Chapel of Tryon is in charge of arrangments.

‐ paid obituary