RIP Kay Peters

 

New York Times

May 22, 2025

 

PETERS, Kay L. Kay L. Peters, 83, died May 9, 2025, from respiratory failure. Kay was born and raised in Wooster, Ohio where she began her interest in the arts, dance and debate. While in high school she ran her own dance studio and performed at Canal Fulton Summer Theatre. She was valedictorian of a class of 500. Kay graduated from Northwestern University in 1963 majoring in theatre. She met the love her life, Richard, at college, and they married in 1963. She continued her acting pursuits by performing in dinner theatres while Richard completed his law studies in Chicago. Moving to New York City, she landed a lead role on Broadway, a role on Days of Our Lives, and numerous TV commercials. While in Hollywood she did many guest appearances on Little House on the Prairie, It Takes a Thief, The Bold Ones, and CHiPs. She also did One Life to Live and half a dozen movies. Pausing her career to start a family, having daughters Tara (1971) and Tracy (1973), she had to focus on her early skills of teaching. The seeds were planted for a shift in career to communication skills training. In 1978 Kay became a member of the Board of Directors of Screen Actors Guild and was asked to chair the new Telecommunications Committee. She had to interface with Congress and ultimately testified before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on copyright issues opposite Ted Turner. Watching others testify cemented her shift to teach communications skills. Kay developed those skills by working for a small boutique firm for several years. Opening her own company in 1994, Kay trained CEOs, scientists, lawyers, doctors, management consultants, IPOs launches, investment bankers, and occasionally children of clients' college bound. Kay worked both domestically and internationally. The same passion Kay had for acting and communication training, she had for her family. She always had time for her daughters and husband. Kay was lifelong Presbyterian and member of the Brick Presbyterian Church. Kay started each morning in saying: This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it (Psalms 118:24). Kay is survived by her husband, Richard, their two daughters Tara (Michael) Peterson and Tracy (Jonathon) Herpel, grandchildren, Xander, Beau, Audrey, Alistair, and a sister Joan (Maurice) Moore. Contributions in Kay Peters' honor may be made to Helen Keller Intl, Contributions Office, P.O. Box 6077, Albert Lea, MN 56007-9860 HelenKellerIntl.org/donate A memorial service will be held at the Brick Presbyterian Church on October 3, 2025, at 11:00am. A reception will follow.

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PETERS, Kay (Kay Louise Peters)

Born: 4/11/1942, Wooster, Ohio, U.S.A.

Died: 5/9/2025, New York City, New York, U.S.A.

 

Kay Peters’s western – actress:

Little House on the Prairie (TV) – 1977 (Della Clark)