Tribute

Our mother, Kay Millington Champion, entered the world on March 19, 1935, in upstate New York and left us quietly in the night, without suffering, on July 2, 2025, at age 89. Mom led an active and full life of service starting with enlisting in the Army on December 12, 1954. She was stationed in Japan and that’s where she met and married her husband Joseph (Joe) Champion. Kay and Joe had four marriage ceremonies first at the Japanese Embassy, the second at the U.S. Embassy, and then at a church in the U.S. They briefly divorced and possibly taking a cue from Joe’s mom warning him that he wouldn’t find another like her “for 100 years” they married again in Charleston, South Carolina in 1959 and remained together for the next 66 years. The final marriage produced two children, Kim and nearly 10 years later, Boyd. Kay studied histology and it was a profession that let her find a job as Joe moved every year while he served in the Air Force. The family lived in Utah, Texas, Washington, D.C. and the Philippines. She and Joe also owned and operated a pool room in Camp Springs, Maryland, and a convenience store in Alabama. When she retired the first time, she couldn’t remain idle and went to work for Costco as a food demonstrator, finally retiring - again - in October 2023. Mom was active her entire life and a firm believer in healthy eating and exercise. She worked her way up to a seven-mile daily run that she didn’t give up until she was in her 80s. She also mastered riding a unicycle and water skiing. She loved dancing, musicals, and the outdoors. But she also had a few quiet pursuits, such as crafting and crocheting. Always ready to help, Mother’s life was one of service. She supported the Alzheimer’s Foundation, Multiple Sclerosis Society, Paralyzed Veterans of America, animal protection organizations, and others. She also volunteered for 10 years, as a participant in the Women’s Health Initiative Strong and Healthy Program (WHISH), a Stanford University research study to determine if increased physical activity reduces heart disease and strokes in older women. In a final act of service, Kay donated her body to science.

Friends & Family

Left to mourn Kay are her husband Joe, children Kim Galarza and Boyd Champion (Roxanne), and eight grandchildren, Robin, Sheridan, Michael (Kira), Kyle, Marc, Kelsey (Robert), Brandon, and Ashley. Six great-grandchildren: Morgan, Shellah, Avery, Ezra, Bailey, and Rinley. And one great-great granddaughter Luna. Services will be announced at a later date.