Kay Botiller
July 25, 1945 - February 10, 2025
Kay Botiller was born Helen Cathy Banks on July 25, 1945 in San Francisco, Ca to her parents Lawrence Tipton (Tip) and Helen. Their first born child, Kay grew up in an amazing world where the structured influence of her military father mixed with the artistic and creative endeavors of her artist mother.
Incredibly smart, Kay graduated from high school at age 16 and began her degree at Sacramento State College. After graduation she spent a few years on ranches as a cowboy’s wife, then Kay and her toddler daughter Kristin settled down in Stockton, where she worked as the director of the beloved local children’s park, Pixie Woods. Later she went to work for San Joaquin County for the rest of her career in various capacities, including a counselor at Mary Graham Hall, social worker, and corrections officer.
Kay had a phenomenal zest for life. She traveled the world, taking some trips with friends, others with her husband, and sometimes the whole family. Her love of travel and longing for adventure was contagious, and she inspired many of her friends and family to follow in her footsteps. She was tough, strong, and could hold her own, and at the same time loved fiercely, doing anything for the ones she loved. She was also quite philanthropic, teaching her children from a young age that sharing and helping others was the only way to go. She had a huge number of friends from all walks of life, and her bold and dynamic personality made the room light up, and more often than not got the dance floor going. Equally comfortable on a shooting range and in a jewelry store, she truly was multifaceted and one of a kind.
Kay was married three times, briefly to Aaron Short in the 1970s, then for decades to Bob (Robert) Botiller, with whom she raised her family. After Bob’s death in 2006, she married Richard (Rick) Cardozo in 2009. Theirs was the kind of love most people only dream of, they were absolutely enamored with each other, it was the most wonderful thing to witness. They were together until his death in 2023, both finding great love at the end of their lives.
Kay was diagnosed with hydrocephalus in 2024, and left us almost one year later, in the early morning hours of February 10, 2025. She leaves behind her incredibly beloved children, Kristin (Ranuio) and Brian, Kristin’s husband Tim, and their children Maya and Kian. She also leaves behind her bonus daughter, Erin Vogel, her husband Ben, and her grandchildren Lyla, Jack, and Elliott, along with cherished neices and nephews. She is preceded by her parents, her husbands, and her much loved younger brother Tip Banks.
Kay was beloved by so many, hers was truly a powerful, amazing life. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favorite charity, or go and have an adventure, and make a toast in her honor.
SERVICES
A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, February 18, 2025 at Vineyard Chapel at Cherokee Memorial Park, located at 14165 N. Beckman Rd, Lodi, CA 95240. Reception to follow at the J. Charles Irwin Reception Center at Cherokee Memorial Park.
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Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Botiller family.