Newburyport - Kay Louise Bierwiler, 76, of Newburyport, MA died suddenly on May 13, 2022 of cardiac arrest.

Kay was born on April 23, 1946 in Corning, NY to Margaret Mahlum and Edward Bierwiler. Kay is survived by her loving spouse of 22 years, Catherine "Katy" Flory; Katy's twin sister, Janet Clarke of Barrington, RI; Kay's sister Sally Hall and brother-in-law, Donald Hall of Vestal, NY; close friends Lise Fried and Rose Dobosz of Amesbury, MA; as well as several cousins.

After a childhood spent in Corning, NY, Kay enrolled in Corning Community College, later transferring to SUNY-New Paltz where she received her BA in sociology. She then went on to earn both an MA and a PhD in sociology from SUNY-Albany. Kay worked most recently as the Executive Director of SeniorCare Inc. of Gloucester, MA serving elders and adults with disabilities in the greater Cape Ann communities. After retirement, Key West became Kay's winter home, while she maintained her longtime residence in Newburyport during the rest of the year.

Kay was an intellectually curious lifelong learner. She enjoyed reading, researching topics of interest, travel, art galleries and art collection. Her favorite destinations were Norway and Venice, Italy. In her earlier years she spent many happy summer vacations with Katy on Lake George where she swam, canoed, and birdwatched. More recently, her part-time residence in Key West allowed her to become passionately involved in a local Elizabeth Bishop poetry group. Kay was considered by her friends to be an outstanding scholar on the life and writings of Elizabeth Bishop. As she aged, Kay's sense of humor flourished and she delighted in the routines of daily life, especially when they involved her beautiful backyard garden or a margherita pizza. Kay will be deeply missed by her wife, her family and her friends.

A simple memorial service for Kay will be held at the Elliott Woodworth & Rogers Family Funeral Home at 35 Green Street in Newburyport on June 11th at 11 a.m. In lieu of sending flowers, donations may be made to Anna Jaques Hospital.