Kathryn “Kay” Skipper Reinke, 75, of Waco, passed away Monday, January 2, 2023 at her residence.
Celebration of Life: 2 to 4PM Thursday, January 19 at the Art Center Waco, 701 S. 8th St., Waco. The celebration of life will be held prior to the PACT art show, “Art a’ la Carte.” Her paintings will be on display along with the other talented artists.
Kathryn “Kay” Skipper Reinke was born May 7, 1947, to Kathryn Rhodes Skipper and Charles Walker Skipper, Jr. in Houston. Kay graduated from Jesse H. Jones High School in 1965. She graduated with her Bachelor’s degree in mathematics from University of Houston, her Master’s degree in mathematics from Stephen F. Austin State University, and earned her Ph.D. from Texas A&M University in math education. Kay enjoyed teaching math at Bay City ISD and after earning her Ph.D., she accepted a professor position at Oklahoma State University. She then worked at Texas State University prior to her retirement.
After Kay retired, she and her husband, John, were able to move to Waco and spend more time with family including, daughter, Julie Sciacca Ivey, and grandchildren Kathryn “Kate” Anne Ivey and Marcus “Marc” D. Ivey IV.
She continued to enjoy her love of art by being an active member in many art organizations. She was proud to be a co-founder of the Professional Artists of Central Texas “PACT”. In this group, she was able to work alongside close friends and her sister, Karen.
Kay who was known to her grandchildren and their friends as Nana, taught us the value of putting family first, how to love deeply, and be thankful for relationships old and new.
She cherished her social neighborhood gatherings, had a soft spot for animals in need, loved a challenging crossword puzzle, and appreciated a good giggle.
Kay was preceded in death by husband, John Reinke.
She is survived by her daughter, Julie Ivey and husband Michael Burton; granddaughter, Kate Ivey and fiancé Andrew Winkelman; grandson, Marc Ivey; sister, Karen Cruce and husband Kevin Cruce; nephew, Charles Skipper Sorrell and wife Erica McCann, along with their son, Henry “Huck” Sorrell. She also cherished the relationships with John’s children and their families.
Because of her love of animals, in lieu of flowers, please donate to Fuzzy Friends Rescue, Waco.
Print Obituary & Condolences
She will be greatly missed. A very dear friend to me and my husband Scott. Our prayers and deep condolences to the entire family.
I will miss my neighbor: walking our dogs together, drinking wine on her front patio and visiting at her front gate. I will remember her beautiful silver hair.
Susie
Kay was a great neighbor. I’ll miss having wine on her front patio, walking with her and her dog and her beautiful silver hair.
Karen,
Russ and I are so very sorry for your loss. ❤️ We know how very much you loved her and how close the two of you were. There is nothing like a sister that is also your best friend. Kay will be greatly missed.
Kay was everything it takes to be a good friend; fun, ready for any adventure, kindhearted and a really good listener. She will be truly missed.
Sending love to her precious family.
Can’t believe it. I always sent her dog jokes on Face book.
Very beautiful spirt and kindness. Will miss her.
I am just heartbroken…..I cherish our time together in Bay City and our many adventures. She was an awesome teacher, colleague and partner in crime. I am so sorry for your loss Julie and for your whole family.
Kay was also a member of our Art Guild of Central Texas here in Waco. She was a very special person, and we will miss her greatly. RIP Kay!
Sandy
Julie,
You had a very cool Mom! Talented, kind, funny…a great combination! I am sorry for your loss as I know she was an integral part of your life as well as Kate and Marc.
Eric
I had the great pleasure of being Kay and John’s tax accountant for many years as well as being brother in law to Rick Nelson who is a descendant of the Skippers.
It was great fun to meet with them each year. They both had a lively spirit and would tell me about their adventures – traveling around the southwest in a RV going to art shows. At that time they were living in New Braunfels and were a vital part of the art scene there.
Until I read the obituary, I had no idea she was a Phd – I love that humility! She was very much in the moment and had no desire to brag about her prior accomplishments.
She certainly will be missed and may we all carry her joy and enthusiasm with us!
I will always cherish the wonderful memories I have of our long friendship. Kay was an incredibly talented, smart and thoughtful woman. She will be forever missed.
When my mom passed on January 16, 2016, Kay told me that she would now be my mom. She was. I will forever cherish her words of encouragement, the great care and concern she wrapped me in, and her predictable “Love you, Keith!” each time we got off of the phone. I will miss seeing her at the art shows and going to Waco to see her. What a treasure she was to me. I will never forget Kay.
Kay was a delightful lady sad to learn of her death. I have pictures and prints from Kay and from John,
My condolences for Kay and John’s families. My family new Kay and John in Bay City, TX through the school and through the 1st Presbyterian Church . We also knew them for many years in New Braunfels, TX.
They both were delightful to be around. They were loved by many, many people. Kay was so talented and will be greatly missed by so many people.
Tom and Gay Dawson
Julie, Kate and Marc. Our condolences are with your families. Kay will be greatly missed, may your cherished memories bring you forward in the coming days and weeks.
Rey & Engler families.
Kay was a wonderful friend and a great neighbor. We shared many many things together. Movies, good Wine and a few games, TV shows and a lot of conversation. She was a great cook and always eager to share. We had some good laughs together and shared our dogs for their daily visit, and family stories.
She came over every afternoon to sit on my back patio and let the dogs have their playtime while we shared our day of happenings. I look for her every afternoon, I expect her to come around that corner with “Sugar”. So do my dogs, they miss Sugar. Rest in peace dear Kay, you are greatly missed everyday.
Betty Middleton
Dear Julie, Kate, Marcus,
So very sorry to learn of Kay’s death. What a privilege and a grace to know her, even for a brief time. What a legacy she leaves in all of you! Be assured of my thoughts and prayers. All good things, Joan Hollis
I graduated with Kay from Jesse Jones in 1965. I traded messages with her in October 2022. Wish I could have had time to meet up in person. My condolences. If you would like photos from our senior yearbook just let me know. I will scan and send them to you.
I loved having her as my Geometry teacher at BCHS. I was thrilled to see that she went on to get her PhD in later years. My condolences to your family.