Kathryn (Kay) Tomek
100+ Years (11/22/1923-7/19/2024)
Kathryn (Kay) Tomek was born November 22, 1923, to Effie and Jesse Brittain. She was raised in Taft, Texas, a suburb of Corpus Christi, Texas, the land of cotton, cattle and oil. Her family had many relatives in southern Texas, and Kay counted (at best) Forty-One first cousins. She attended Baylor University in the business program and was selected to be an assistant to the Business School Dean. She met Robert (Bob) Tomek in 1944 while she was a senior and he was attending military meteorology school in Waco, Texas. They married on March 30, 1945 after her graduation and moved to Lincoln, Nebraska so Bob could finish school at the University of Nebraska- Lincoln.
Between 1948 – 1950 Bob participated in a Shell Oil training program for engineers, and they lived in six states: Louisiana, Oklahoma, Illinois, Kansas, New Mexico and Texas. The family moved back to Lincoln, Nebraska in 1950 and lived there through1958. At that time the family, which then included all three children, Bonnie, Beverly and Phil moved to Omaha.
Kay attended the University of Nebraska Omaha to obtain her second degree in Education in 1963. She taught as a substitute teacher at the elementary school level over a period of five years. She devoted time to a number of personal interests including Opera Omaha, the Omaha Symphony, PEO Chapter FK, and the American Association of University Women. She was greatly involved with Opera Omaha while chairing a number of fund-raising events and hosting a number of out-of-town singers. In addition, she was significantly involved with the American Association of University Women while acting as the Nebraska state chairman, and a national delegate to the Houston convention in 1977. She lobbied for the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment in front of a Nebraska senator in Washington D.C. to no avail. She was a long-time member of the Presbyterian Church of the Cross.
Kay and Bob travelled extensively to places such as Russia, Europe, China, Thailand, Indonesia, Sweden, Denmark and the Caribbean. She was an avid golfer, tennis player, and spectator of college and professional football, basketball and baseball. Especially for any Baylor sporting event.
Kay is survived by three children; Bonnie Sue Tomek, Beverly Jo Otterson and Phillip Charles Tomek (Debra); five grandchildren, Kristen Otterson Lazarovici, Jesse Otterson, Shawn Otterson, Shannon Otterson Westin and Allison Tomek Lenzini; and four great- grandchildren, Ellie, Riley, Everly and Olivia. She is also survived by her brother Chester Brittain and her nieces and nephews.
A private family gravesite funeral will be held for Kay. Memorials can be made to the Presbyterian Church of the Cross.
Heafey-Hoffmann-Dworak-Cutler, West Center Chapel, 7805 West Center Road, Omaha, Ne 68124. (402)-391-3900. www.heafeyheafey.com
3 Comments
Our condolences for the loss of your mother. With deepest sympathy from Sweet & Associates.
We are sorry for your loss. Your grandmother was a distinguished and remarkable woman whose presence touched many lives. May you find comfort in the treasured memories of her wisdom and may her legacy continue to inspire.
It was such an honor that you had the opportunity to meet and know my remarkable Grandmother, Phil & Lucia. Thank you for your beautiful words and your tremendous support as we grieve her passing and honor her life.
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