Katharine"Kay Mary Stanley Smith Hirsch

Kay died Sunday, May 16, 2010 at Rose Lane Adult Care Home in Prescott, Arizona. She was born September 1, 1919 in London, England; the daughter of Alfred and Jennie (Pitts) Stanley Smith. Kay was 90 years old. Kay was a graduate of St. John's School, Bexhill-on-Sea, in England (Sixth Form equal to a College Freshman) Croydon, England School of the Arts. Her first job was on the costume staff of the Wesstminster Theatre in London for 1 1/2 years, that job ended due to the war being declared in 1939. Kay served in the Land Army from 1939-1940. From 1940-1944 she was involved as a Weather Observer, RAF, in Aldergrove, Northern Ireland. Established Weather Station at Nutts Corner Air Base in Northern Ireland. Combined RAF-USAF Air Field. From 1944-1945 she was Third Officer, Air Transport Auxillary Ferry Pilot Services, British Isles. Perry Pilot from any single engine aircraft including Spitfire, Hurricane, Grumann Hellcat, Fairy Swardfish and in training for twin-engine when VE Day came. On June 5, 1945 Kay married Arthur Zach Hirsch, Jr., Sgt. USAF in the Church of England, Croydon, Surrey. On April 1, 1946 she and Zach arrived in the U.S. and she obtained her U.S. Citizenship in 1951 in Worcester, Mass. Kay worked for Dennisons Stationary Store in New York from 1946-47. From 1965-73 she was on the costume staff at Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis, MN. In the off season, costume staff at the Minnesota Opera Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, Minnesota Opera, Minnesota Children's Theatre. From 1973-79 she was on the costume staff McCarter Theatre, Princeton, NJ. From 1979-84 costume staff at the Dallas Ballet, Dallas Opera, Dallas Shakespeare-in-the-Park, SMU, Six Flags Over Texas. In 1984 Kay and Zach moved to Prescott where she was the Resident Costumer at the Prescott Fine Arts Associations Community Theatre until 2008. During this time Kay designed and made costumes for over 110 Theatre productions. Kay was involved in the Girl Scouts serving as a Brownie Leader for 6 years, Girl Scout Troop Leader for 6 years, Senior Girl Scout Leader for 4 years and was the Girl Scout Coordinator in the Elementary School. She was involved in the Cub Scouts as a Den Leader for 4 years and her Den was selected by Howard Sanden, Brown & Bigelow Calender-printer artist to be painted on the annual Cub Scout Calender. Kay was an Executive Board Member of the Yavapai Humane Society for 10 years and originated the Santa Paws, Dog Show, and PR slide promotion programs. She was also a member of the British War Brides Association and 99's (Women's Pilots Association).