Kathrine Drew Shands

Word has been received that Kathrine “Kay” Shands, 99, of Bozeman, MT and formerly of Pawley’s Island, has passed away.

Born on September 11, 1922, in Philadelphia, Kay and her six half siblings were raised mostly by her grandmother in Clayton, NJ. Kay was a good student and athlete and received a scholarship to college, but in the late 1930s money was tight, so she studied secretarial skills in Philadelphia.

An avid jitter bugger, Kay adored Frank Sinatra and in 1939 she and some friends went to Atlantic City, NJ to see “Ol' Blue Eyes” at the famous Steel Pier. It was a memorable experience that stayed with her, and Sinatra remained her favorite singer throughout her life.

After high school, Kay took a job in the Wilmington, DE offices of E.I. DuPont, where she met her future husband Frederick “Ted” Shands. Kay said she didn’t know what Ted saw in a “silly little jitter bugger like me,” but they were married in St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City two days after Valentine’s Day in 1946.

The couple had three children, Barbara, Frederick and Thomas. Together they moved to Pine Ridge, NJ, and then in the late 1950s Ted was transferred to Wilmington, OH. They lived there for several years before being transferred back to New Jersey. They built a home in Fair Haven, NJ and lived there for 23 years before retiring and moving south to Pawley’s Island.

The couple enjoyed many interests together including traveling, tennis, and boating, as well as being active members of the Presbyterian Church. Her world travels began when Ted was still alive, and she continued to travel extensively after his death, eventually visiting five of the world's seven continents. Her last solo trips when she was in her mid-80s included trips to London, Malta and Abu Dhabi.

Kay was preceded in death by her daughter Barbara and her husband Ted. She is survived by son Frederick (wife May Wah) of London, his son Frederick Shands of Austin, TX, and Thomas (wife Edleeta) and their daughter Sarah Reed Stands and husband Davydd Rees all of Livingston, MT.

Kay will be laid to rest next to her husband and daughter in Fairview Cemetery in Middletown, NJ.

Condolences & Memories may be shared with the family at www.dahlcares.com.