Bay Village Historical Society establishes fund in memory of Kay Laughlin

A fund has been established by the Bay Village Historical Society (BVHS) to honor the memory of long-time Bay Village historian Kay Rothaermel Laughlin. 

“Kay Laughlin will always hold a special spot in our hearts. Her loss will be felt profoundly for years to come by so many of us,” Cathy Flament, current Bay Village Historical Society president said. “Her knowledge about our local history and commitment to sharing her vast wealth of information will be hard to match. Losing her to COVID-19 was a wakeup call as to how devastating and wide-spread the implications of this pandemic have been.”

“After discussing with her family the best way to memorialize her dedication, we felt a fund for Kay would be an honorable way to keep her legacy going. We have set up the Kay Rothaermel Laughlin Fund for Preservation and Education that will help fund current and future projects. There will also be a bench dedicated in the rose garden at Cahoon Memorial Park, next to her sister Gay,” Flament noted. 

Kay Rothaermel Laughlin was born on Feb. 21, 1937, and passed away on July 25, 2020. No one knew more about the history of Bay Village than Kay. Along with her sister Gay, she wrote, “Bay Village: A Way of Life” in 1974, the first written history of the town. In 2007, Kay and Ginny Peterson compiled a picture book, “Bay Village,” collecting the pictures and writing the content. Kay began writing her, “Snippets of Bay Village History” column in 2015, penning more than 100 articles. Kay joined the Bay Village Historical Society in 1968 and served as president for two years in 1976. She was part of the team that opened Rose Hill Museum in 1974. She was a docent for 20 years at Rose Hill Museum and became the society’s historian.

Donations to the Kay Rothaermel Laughlin Fund for Preservation and Education can be mailed to BVHS, P.O. Box 40187, Bay Village, OH 44140. Please write a note on or with the check explaining that it is for Kay’s fund.

Kay Rothaermel Laughlin

Bay Village, Ohio

born February 21, 1937 died July 25, 2020….

daughter of the late J. Ross and Alberta Wurtz Rothaermel, wife of Gerald Lee Laughlin (married 62 years), adoring sister of Barbara Walker and Twin sister, Gay Menning ( Dec), mother of Christopher (Connie), Kathy Ann and Thomas (Kelly), grandmother of Sara and Abigail.

Bay Village has lost its historian. No one knew more about Bay’s history than Kay. She knew all the facts and people which she wove into stories. 

She had a remarkable memory that served her well all her life. Bay’s history became her most enjoyable hobby. Kay lived in Bay Village all her life. 

A 1955 Bay High graduate, she received a Distinguished Alumni Award from Bay High School in 1978. Kay got her BS in Ed at The Ohio State University where she met her husband, Jerry. She was a member of the Alpha Delta Pi Sorority. Along with her sister, Gay, she wrote Bay Village, A Way Of Life in 1974, the first written history of the town. 

In 2007, Kay and Ginny Peterson compiled the picture book, Bay Village, collecting the pictures and writing the content. Kay joined the Bay Village Historical Society in 1968 and served as president for two years in 1976. She was part of the team that opened Rose Hill Museum in 1974. She was a docent for 20 years at Rose Hill Museum and became the society’s historian. 

She was the manager of the historical society antique show, accessions chairman for 10 years, and one of the organizers at the Osborn Learning Center when the Osborn house was moved into Cahoon Park. For years she presented slide shows of Bay history, starting with the Lighted School House and the Reflections program at the Bay Middle School. Today Bay Village history is taught in the Bay Schools because of Kay and her sister. She was a past president of the Alpha Delta Pi West Cleveland Alumni Assoc., served on Normandy PTA for 10 years, and was the Bay United Methodist Church historian when they received an Ohio State historical marker.

Kay was a great cook. She set a beautiful table. She loved to read and listen to music. She would say being on the water was her favorite place. She and Jer loved their boat and Kay was a great perch fisherman many times catching the most fish. She was an avid Cleveland sports fan, loving her Brownies. 

For 15 years she did tole painting and worked shows in the area. She took up watercolors, painting the family dogs, cats, and horses. She loved being outdoors and could name every flower and/or weed. She could tell you the artists and names of the songs her kids played in the 70s. There wasn’t anything she couldn’t do. She was the organizer and family tour guide. Her family meant everything to her. She loved Christmas and Thanksgiving dinner was her favorite meal which she loved to cook.

She will be missed.

A celebration of life will be scheduled at a later date to ensure safety for all who would like to attend. www.buschcares.com 440.933.3202