Kathryn K. Elliott, a recognized figurehead of Toledo’s Jazz Community, departed this life on March 30, 2026, at Foundation Park Alzheimer’s Care Center.
The daughter of James F. Elliott Jr and Florence (Glowczewski) Elliott, Kay began her life on April 25, 1938 in Boston, before the family relocated to Toledo in 1943.  After graduating from Central Catholic High School, she studied at the University of Toledo and earned her degree from Bowling Green State University. 
She began working for The Blade in 1964, writing stories for what was then called the Women’s News Department. While at the paper, Kay was crowned the Queen of the Page One Ball, an event sponsored by the Toledo Council of Newspapers. Her journalism career led her to The Washington Star, where she became Editor of the Home Section and received recognition for distinguished journalistic coverage in the home furnishings field. She worked for Tip O’Neill, a long-tenured Speaker of the House of Representatives. In the early 1970’s, Kay became a marketing director with the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.  It was at the Kennedy Center where she worked with a large array of stars from the American pantheon of music and jazz. By late 1970’s, Kay joined the Public Affairs Department at the National Endowment for the Humanities and travelled the country with the King Tut exhibit. Kay left Washington D.C. to live in the Greenwich Village neighborhood in New York City where she started a fashion business.  Returning to Toledo in the 1980’s, Kay began a high-end gift business that catered to executives from all the corporations and businesses in the Toledo area.  During her tenure as Communications Director with the Toledo Humane Society, Kay organized the Walk for the Animals in cooperation with the Toledo Zoo.  She became active in the Toledo Jazz Society which then led to her becoming the Executive Director of The Art Tatum Jazz Society, where she organized The Art Tatum Jazz Festivals in downtown Toledo, bringing premier national artists to the area while boosting recognition of new artists entering the jazz world.  Because of Kay, Toledoans have been entertained by members of the Marsalis Family, Jon Batiste, and Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews, and other notable jazz musicians.  Kay also promoted local jazz artists, musicians and vocalists alike, and lived to introduce both young and old audiences to live jazz performances. 

Kay is survived by her brother, James F. (Shirley) Elliott, and nephews Jeff (Sandy) and Brad Elliot and countless friends in the Toledo arts community. 
The family will welcome visitors Wednesday, April 8 starting at 10 a.m. in the Thos. I. Wisniewski Funeral Home 2426 North Reynolds Rd. Toledo, OH. 43615 with a Celebration of Life services beginning at 11 a.m.. As customary in New Orleans and other Jazz communities, Second Line will follow services: bring an umbrella!
Special thanks to the staff of Foundation Park Alzheimer’s Care Center and Care 360 Hospice.
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www.wisniewskifuneral.net