Katherine L. "Kay" Stafford

STAFFORD, Katherine L. “Kay”, age 81, of Centerville, OH passed away with her family by her side on Saturday, July 11, 2026. Kay was born August 4, 1944 in Dayton, OH to the late Irvin and Mary Renner. She spent her childhood in Centerville and graduated Centerville High School in 1962. Kay met her future husband, Dennis D. Stafford, on a blind date in 1965, and they married in 1967. They had two children together before Kay continued her education at Wright State University, earning a degree B.S. in Nursing in 1982. She had a long career in nursing, mostly at St. Elizabeth Medical Center, specializing in critical care and earning a certification as a Critical Care Registered Nurse. Her career continued when she moved to Los Angeles, where she later retired before returning to Centerville after 12 years.

Kay loved traveling and visited sites all over the world, including Everest Base Camp in the Himalayas, Alaska, Singapore, and Bali. She pursued her artistic nature through painting, and was a voracious reader. Later in life, she became a member of Ascension Catholic Church and raised and loved both dogs and cats. Kay was avidly interested in world events and showed a deep understanding of the world and a keen intellect, as well as being a devoted wife and mother. She will be missed by her family and all that knew her.

She is preceded in death by her parents and brother, Edwin “Ed” Renner.

Kay is survived by her loving husband of 60 years, Dennis D. Stafford; son Mark (Kristen Sullivan) Stafford; daughter Laura (Brian) Oliver; grandchildren Liam, Lyla, Noely, and Livy Oliver; and brother Joe (Alice) Renner; as well as numerous extended family and friends.

A graveside service will be held at 12:30 PM on Monday, July 20, 2026, at Woodland Cemetery, 118 Woodland Avenue, Dayton, OH. Family will meet guests near the mausoleum before proceeding to the gravesite. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Humane Society of Greater Dayton.