Kay Orentlicher

Kay Orentlicher, age 63, of Cave Junction, died Monday, September 8, 2008 at Spring Pointe.

A memorial service will be at 5:00 p.m., Thursday, September 18, 2008 at 5105 Dick George Road, Cave Junction. Private interment will be held at Laurel Cemetery. Hull & Hull Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.

Kay was born April 13, 1945 in Atlanta, Georgia. She was adopted by Herman & Jeanette Orentlicher and raised in Bethesda, Maryland. She dropped out of college in New York City to travel the world. She became a pioneer in the civil rights and anti-Vietnam movements. She was a free spirit and always loved a communal life. She made her living from vending. In 1987 she moved from Silver City, New Mexico to Cave Junction.

Kay started and operated two nonprofit organizations; one called “Feed The Hungry” in Silver City, New Mexico and the other “Feeding in the Park” in Cave Junction, Oregon.

Kay shared with others even if it was her last bite or the shirt off her back. Some of her greatest times, even in her last days was spent with her grandchildren

Her hobbies included singing, songwriting, playing the guitar, cello, violin, and piano, tie dying, and beading. She also enjoyed traveling, going to hot springs, and spending time in the outdoors.

Survivors include three children, Michael Orentlicher of Sandston, Virginia; Steven Brandy Shirley of Cave Junction; and Venus Jeanette Clark of Cave Junction; a sister, Diane Faye Orentlicher of Washington DC; two brothers, John Orentlicher of Jamesville, New York and David Orentlicher of Indianapolis, Indiana; eight grandchildren and one on the way.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Herman Israel Orentlicher and Jeanette Ada Levin; and a brother George Harry Orentlicher.