Funeral homes often submit obituaries as a service to the families they are assisting. However, we will be happy to accept obituaries from family members pending proper verification of the death.
Kay Nancy (Evans) Floria died in her home peacefully on Nov. 4, 2025, with her children by her side. A celebration of life will be held in honor of Kay at 2 p.m. on Nov. 23 at the Ruins in Hood River.
Kay was born on Dec. 6, 1948, in Allegan, Michigan, to Robert Evans and Marcelle (Ruehle) Evans. She went to Miner Lake School (a one room schoolhouse) from kindergarten through eighth grade, then Allegan County Schools and graduated in 1966. After graduation, she attended Kalamazoo Valley Community College, where she met her future husband, Dale Floria, in a music class. They were married in 1974 and shortly after moved to Oregon with all their possessions packed in a Chevy van.
Dale was a guitar player and together they enjoyed making music, he on guitar and she on piano. In 1980, their son, Jesse, was born and in 1987, daughter, Lisa completed their family. After a short battle with cancer, Dale died in January 2000. A sister, Diane Dietrich, died in February 2025. Kay is survived by her son Jesse Floria (Stephanie); daughter Lisa O’Conner (Luke); brother, Gary Evans (Laura) of Allegan, Michigan; sister, Ellen Bumpus of Tuscon, Arizona; and five grandchildren, Ella, Leah, Lydia, Levi, and Lazarus.
An avid outdoors-woman Kay was employed at Mt. Hood Meadows and the Forest Service. She then worked for Mid-Columbia Center for Living for almost 25 years before retiring in 2008. Kay loved gardening and anything that got her outdoors: camping, hiking, biking and walking. She enjoyed a good book and spending time with her family and friends, she loved dancing and music.
Music was a theme that ran throughout Kay’s life. She could sit down, listen to a song and play it “by ear.” She took classical piano lessons starting at an early age and was self taught after that. There was always a piano in the house. Later in life, she performed solo and in many different groups, the longest being with her good friend, Randy Bell, on cajon. Performing and playing music was her passion.
Kay also loved to travel, whether by plane or car. She loved road trips as well as long distance trips to Europe, Mexico, Costa Rica, etc. She loved Eastern Oregon, the Painted Hills and visiting all the little towns along the way.
She will long be remembered for her contagious laugh and will be sorely missed by her family and many friends.
Donations can be made in memory of Kay to Friends of the Columbia Gorge.
To plant a tree in memory of Kay Floria as a living tribute, please visit Tribute Store.
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Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
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